Micky van de Ven has been in the news this week after the Tottenham Hotspur defender opted to go on The Overlap to do an in-depth interview with Gary Neville.
The Netherlands international spoke about a range of topics, which you can go and watch on their YouTube channel, and explained that the main reason he signed for Spurs was because Ange Postecoglou promised that he would be a starter.
That has been the case for the left-footed star so far in North London, as he has started 54 of his 55 appearances in the Premier League for the club, per Sofascore.
The former Wolfsburg defender has not had the best start to the season, losing 62% of his aerial duels in the top-flight (Sofascore), and could lose his place as a starter unless his form improves.
Spurs ready to make move for Premier League star
Van de Ven’s security in the starting line-up could also come into question if the Europa League champions are able to bring in another player in his position.
According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the January transfer window.
The report claims that Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United are among the other teams, alongside Spurs, who have made contact with the England international’s representatives to gauge his interest in a move.
It adds that Tottenham, along with the other Premier League sides mentioned, are ‘ready’ to make an offer to sign the Eagles star, whose contract at Selhurst Park is due to expire at the end of the season.
Why Guehi would be an upgrade on Van de Ven
If Spurs can win the race for Guehi, whether that is for a cut-price fee in January or on a free transfer next summer, he could come in as an upgrade on Van de Ven on the left side of the defence.
Despite being naturally right-footed, the former Chelsea academy graduate typically plays in the left centre-back role for club and country, which means that he could come in as a direct rival to the Dutchman’s place in the team.
Van de Ven brings attacking qualities, with six goals this season, to the side, but Guehi has also shown that he can make an impact at the top end of the pitch, with two goals and three assists as a centre-back this term, per Sofascore.
This shows that replacing the Dutchman with the Palace captain may not hinder Tottenham too much from an offensive perspective, whilst it could improve them defensively, based on their respective form this season.
Guehi’s impressive performances in the Premier League for Palace in the 2025/26 campaign suggest that he would improve Thomas Frank’s backline as a direct replacement for van de Ven in the left-sided centre-back role next to Kevin Danso or Cristian Romero.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Guehi |
Van de Ven |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
15 |
15 |
|
Tackles + interceptions per game |
2.9 |
2.2 |
|
Clearances per game |
5.1 |
3.3 |
|
Blocks per game |
0.3 |
0.3 |
|
Duels won per game |
5.7 |
3.0 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
62% |
56% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
71% |
38% |
|
Yellow cards |
2 |
3 |
As you can see in the table above, the England international has outperformed the Dutchman in a host of defensive metrics in the top-flight this season, particularly in aerial duels.
Van de Ven’s 38% win percentage in aerial duels is a dismal statistic to have as a centre-back, tasked with being dominant in the air against attackers and defending set-pieces, whilst Guehi excels in that department, winning 71% of his aerial contests.
These statistics may go a way to explaining why Palace have conceded six goals fewer than Spurs in the Premier League, per Sofascore, and are six places above them in the league.
Reporter Bobby Manzi once described Guehi as a “monster in defence” and his statistics this season back that claim up, as he has been a dominant and impressive Premier League centre-back.
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Therefore, Spurs should be pushing hard to win the race for Guehi’s signature, either next month or in the summer, because he could come in as a significant upgrade on Van de Ven, who would then not have the starter status that he joined for in the first place.
