Jamie Redknapp believes Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven is capable of emulating Virgil van Dijk’s achievements.
Van de Ven has been one of the signings of the season in the Premier League and enhanced his growing reputation with a goal as Spurs beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on Sunday.
His goal came alongside another accomplished performance in which Van de Ven completed 100% of his tackles (5/5) and won each of his ground duels (3/3).
The Dutch defender has been an integral part of the club’s push for Champions League qualification after arriving from Wolfsburg in the summer transfer window, impressing with his strength, speed and composure on the ball.
Redknapp believes the 22-year-old has ‘got everything’ needed in a top centre-back and has backed Van de Ven to get better and better in the coming seasons.
He said the defender’s performances are surpassing those of Liverpool captain Van Dijk at a similar age and believes Van de Ven is capable of emulating his Netherlands teammate, widely recognised as the Premier League’s best defender in recent seasons.
“Arsenal fans will look at Saliba who is a great young defender as well but I think this guy is equally as good,” Redknapp said to Sky Sports.
“He’s got everything going for him. You can the difference when Spurs lost him when he had his hamstring injuries. I think if he can stay injury free, there’s no reason he can’t go and emulate what Virgil van Dijk has done. When Virgil was a similar age, he wasn’t producing the performances that he (Van de Ven) is now. He’s only going to get better.
“As long as he doesn’t get too many injuries because that can effect you with hamstrings, with the speed he has got. But he is a top player, he really is.”
