In a bold statement that has sparked heated debate, former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara has declared that Micky van de Ven, the young Dutch centre-back, would “walk straight into Manchester City’s team.” O’Hara’s comments come after the 22-year-old has impressed fans and pundits alike since joining Spurs from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023. His raw pace and defensive attributes have quickly made him a standout performer for Ange Postecoglou’s side, despite struggling with a few injury setbacks.
Van de Ven’s rapid rise in the Premier League has raised eyebrows, especially given the impact he’s made in a defence that, under Postecoglou, has been reshaped to play a more progressive and high-pressing style. While many have been quick to acknowledge his talents, O’Hara’s claim that Van de Ven is already world-class and capable of walking into a team as dominant as Manchester City’s has provoked strong reactions from others, including his co-host Dean Saunders.
**Micky van de Ven: A Rising Star at Spurs**
Micky van de Ven’s move to Spurs last year raised plenty of eyebrows, as he arrived from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg for a relatively modest fee. Yet, his speed, composure on the ball, and ability to cover ground quickly have made him an instant hit with Spurs supporters. His performances have not only been instrumental in bolstering Tottenham’s defence but have also brought him into the spotlight of European football.
One of Van de Ven’s key attributes is his pace, which allows him to recover quickly and deal with fast attacks—something that has been invaluable in a Premier League where the pace of play is often frenetic. His ability to play in a high defensive line, something that suits Postecoglou’s philosophy, has made him a crucial figure at the heart of Spurs’ defence. Despite dealing with some injury woes, particularly with hamstrings—an issue not uncommon for players with his explosiveness—Van de Ven has shown the resilience and potential to become one of the Premier League’s top defenders in the near future.
His impressive performances at Spurs have also earned him a growing reputation across Europe, with links to some of the continent’s top clubs, including Real Madrid. But it’s O’Hara’s belief that the 22-year-old is already good enough to play at the highest level and should be considered world-class that has truly ignited the debate.
**The Debate Over Van de Ven’s ‘World-Class’ Status**
Whether Micky van de Ven can be considered a “world-class” player is the subject of much debate. On one side of the argument, you have people like O’Hara, who firmly believes that the defender is on the path to being one of the very best. On the other hand, you have former footballers like Dean Saunders, who remain more skeptical about Van de Ven’s current standing in the footballing world.
In a recent discussion on talkSPORT, O’Hara made a passionate defense of the Dutchman, calling him “world-class” and asserting that Van de Ven would be a guaranteed starter for a club like Manchester City. O’Hara pointed out that Van de Ven’s pace, defensive awareness, and overall potential set him apart, and that these qualities would make him an asset to any team in the world, including Pep Guardiola’s City side, which has been renowned for its depth and quality in defence.
However, Saunders was less convinced by O’Hara’s argument. He questioned whether Van de Ven could truly be called “world-class” after just one season playing in a high defensive line. According to Saunders, a player needs to consistently perform at a top level and avoid making mistakes in order to reach that elite status. “World-class players don’t make mistakes,” he argued, pointing to Virgil van Dijk’s consistency and error-free performances as an example of what separates the best from the rest. He further contended that players like Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konaté, who form the backbone of Liverpool’s defence, are more reliable, and their minimal errors are what make them top-tier defenders.
This back-and-forth heated debate became the focal point of the conversation, with O’Hara holding firm in his belief that Van de Ven has the potential and ability to play at the very top level. “Of course, they [top players] make mistakes,” O’Hara shot back. “You’re not going to have a player who never makes a mistake. But it’s the way you react to those mistakes that makes you great. Micky’s already proving he can play at a world-class level.”
**Is Micky van de Ven Ready for a Move to Manchester City?**
O’Hara’s insistence that Van de Ven would “walk straight into Manchester City’s team” speaks volumes about how highly he rates the Spurs defender. For City, a team filled with established international talents, it would take a special player to break into their first-choice XI. With stars like Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Nathan Aké all competing for starting spots, the bar is set incredibly high.
However, O’Hara believes Van de Ven possesses the attributes that could see him succeed at a club like Manchester City. “His pace and his ability to read the game would suit Guardiola’s style perfectly,” he said. “Guardiola loves defenders who can play with the ball, who are comfortable in possession, and Micky has that in spades. His physical attributes, combined with his intelligence, make him one of the most exciting young centre-backs in world football right now.”
Indeed, when looking at the rise of players like Ruben Dias and even Aymeric Laporte at City, it’s clear that Guardiola values defenders who are both robust in challenges and comfortable with the ball at their feet. Van de Ven’s ball-playing ability, as well as his speed, fits the profile of what Guardiola demands in his centre-backs. If he continues his trajectory, it’s not unthinkable to see Van de Ven move to a club of Manchester City’s stature, especially considering that Spurs themselves have been known to develop young talents before seeing them move on to bigger clubs.
**A Bright Future Ahead for Micky van de Ven**
Regardless of the ongoing debate about whether Van de Ven is “world-class” or not, there is no doubting that the Dutchman has an incredibly bright future ahead of him. His performances at Spurs have already earned him recognition as one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe. With his raw pace, composure under pressure, and ability to play a modern, high-line defensive role, Van de Ven has all the tools to become one of the best centre-backs in the game.
Whether or not he eventually makes the move to Manchester City remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: Micky van de Ven has the potential to reach the very top of world football. With O’Hara’s belief that he can already walk into the starting XI of a top club like Manchester City, and with his impressive start to life in the Premier League, the young Dutchman is certainly on the right path to achieving that lofty goal.