Jamie Redknapp believes Tottenham Hotspur have a defender who could become as good as Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk.
Spurs produced yet another improved second-half display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1.
Ange Postecoglou’s side enjoyed a positive start to the game as Murillo turned the ball into his own net following a brilliant delivery across the box from Timo Werner.
But as we have seen plenty of times over the past few months, Spurs failed to build on a positive start to the game.
The Lilywhites lost their way in the opening period, which led to Chris Wood levelling things up just 12 minutes after the opener.
Postecoglou’s side were fortunate to head into the break on level terms after Wood wasted a glaring opportunity to hand Forest a lead.
Nevertheless, Tottenham improved after halftime and Micky van de Ven produced a stunning strike to restore their lead.
The Dutchman received the ball on the edge of the Forest box from Heung-min Son and rifled his effort into the top corner.
It led to Van de Ven picking up the Player of the Match award, as well as huge praise from Jamie Redknapp after the game.
Redknapp makes claim about Van de Ven
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Tottenham midfielder claimed Van de Ven could be as good as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
“He’s a fabulous player,” Redknapp said. “22 years of age, he’s 23 in a couple of weeks. Quick as lightning, great left foot. There are not many players that I can think of in world football who are better than him at what he does.
“Arsenal fans will look at [William] Saliba who is a great young defender as well. But I think this guy is equally as good, he’s got everything going for him. You can see the difference when Spurs lost him when he had his hamstring injury. If he stays injury-free, there is no reason he can’t almost emulate what Virgil van Dijk has done.
“When Virgil was at a similar age, Virgil wasn’t producing the performances that he is right now. He’s only going to get better, as long as he doesn’t get too many injuries along the way because that can affect the hamstrings, with the speed that he’s got. But he’s a top player, he really is.”
It’s huge praise from Redknapp and based on Van de Ven’s early form at Spurs, he has a huge future ahead of him.
At 22, the Dutchman has adjusted to Premier League football with ease following his switch from Wolfsburg.
Van de Ven impresses as Spurs move into top four
With just seven games left to play, Postecoglou’s side moved above Aston Villa into the top four with a win today.
Tottenham remain level on points with Villa but do have a game in hand over Unai Emery’s side.
It was hardly a vintage performance from Spurs and there will be plenty to work on at Hotspur Way ahead of a tough run of fixtures against Newcastle United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.