The Netherlands are still searching for clarity at left-back under Ronald Koeman. With Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt locking down central roles, Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven has often been shifted wide — despite playing exclusively as a centre-back in the Premier League.
That trend continued in this international break. Van de Ven started at left-back in the 1-1 draw with Poland before coming off the bench in the 3-2 win over Lithuania to replace Nathan Aké. While his pace and energy are undoubted, questions persist about his suitability in that role.
Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen has now offered his view — and it’s a blunt one.
Driessen: “The Ultimate Left Back Plays at Burnley”
Speaking to Soccer News, Driessen was clear about who he believes should occupy the role:
“The ultimate left back plays at Burnley. That’s Hartman. He’s the best left back, but he’ll have a few months to get back to his old level. Then I think he’s the best left back on the Dutch national team. Van de Ven has a lot of energy, speed, and strength. He can run really fast to the byline, and then he doesn’t know what to do. That’s a problem.” — Valentijn Driessen, Soccer News
Hartman, who joined Burnley this summer after impressing at Feyenoord, is currently working his way back to full sharpness. But Driessen sees him as the natural choice once fit.
Van de Ven’s Club vs Country Dilemma
At Tottenham, Van de Ven has become a cornerstone at centre-back since his €40m move from Wolfsburg in 2023. Alongside Cristian Romero, he has drawn praise for his pace and defensive intelligence in Frank’s high line.
But for the Netherlands, he is forced into an unfamiliar role on the flank. While his athleticism helps, his lack of natural attacking instinct compared to a specialist left-back like Hartman is evident.
Hartman vs Van de Ven — Key Attributes
| Attribute | Quilindschy Hartman | Micky van de Ven |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Position | Left-Back | Centre-Back |
| Strengths | Crossing, Overlaps, Defensive balance | Pace, Strength, Recovery runs |
| Weaknesses | Fitness post-injury | Final third decision-making |
source: player profiles – 8 September 2025
The comparison highlights why Koeman faces a dilemma: balance versus versatility.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Koeman must make a long-term call:
“Van de Ven at left-back is a compromise solution. He’s world-class as a centre-back, but less effective wide. Hartman, once fully fit, offers natural width and delivery. For a Netherlands side that wants control and penetration down the flanks, Hartman makes more sense. The question is whether Koeman will risk benching a defender of Van de Ven’s stature to do it.”
Key Insights
- Driessen hails Hartman as “the ultimate left back” for the Netherlands.
- Van de Ven continues to play out of position internationally.
- Hartman’s return to form at Burnley could reshape Koeman’s options.
- Van de Ven excels at centre-back for Spurs but lacks end product at left-back.
- Netherlands face a long-term tactical choice on balance vs versatility.
What’s Next for Oranje?
Koeman will continue to rotate his options ahead of October’s World Cup qualifiers. Hartman’s progress at Burnley will be closely monitored, with the Clarets eager to see him regain his Feyenoord-level sharpness.
Van de Ven, meanwhile, will return to Tottenham and his natural centre-back role, where he remains one of Frank’s most important players. For now, the Netherlands left-back debate is set to run on.
👉 Should Koeman stick with Van de Ven at left-back — or wait for Hartman to reclaim the role once fully fit?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *