With Liverpool reportedly “100%” signing a centre-back this summer season, we took a better have a look at one of the vital heavily-linked defenders.
Micky van de Ven is simply 22 years outdated, but is already drawing the eye of prime golf equipment in Europe, Liverpool included.
The Reds have been readily linked to the Dutch youth worldwide, who has 89 senior membership appearances in his profession to this point.
The Wolfsburg defender is in motion on the U21 Euros presently, and we thought we might ask somebody who has seen him play loads, for his opinion on the teen.
To get the lowdown on Van de Ven and his potential transfer to Liverpool, This Is Anfield spoke to Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard (@kevinhatchard).
Would Van de Ven enhance Liverpool’s squad?
Yeah, I believe there’s a really promising younger participant there and extra importantly, there’s a participant who’s simply had a extremely strong season with Wolfsburg.
He performed nearly each sport, each minute really, till deep into the season.
And, he’s any individual who actually stepped up beneath Niko Kovac who’s very a lot a coach who concentrates on the organisational aspect of the sport, the defensive aspect of the sport, so he was at all times going to take a step ahead.
Do you assume he would transfer, given the prospect?
He’s any individual that Jorg Schmadtke is aware of very, very properly as a result of he was the one which signed him from Volendam.
Ajax have been very occupied with him when he made that transfer, so Wolsfburg have been in a position to nip in there and get him.
Clearly, a transfer to Liverpool is big – you would need to persuade him that he had a real probability of development and entering into the primary workforce frequently ultimately.
What may he deliver to Liverpool?
He’s left-footed, which is at all times nice as a result of, you understand, coaches love to seek out left-footed defenders in build-up.
I believe he’s comfy on the ball, and does the defensive fundamentals very, very properly.
He nonetheless has rather a lot to be taught, after all, however, once more, simply as with Manu Kone, you’ll be able to have a look at it and say: ‘OK, that makes quite a lot of sense’.
Might he additionally play left-back?
Yeah, I believe he can be versatile. I imply he’s comfy on the ball.
I believe, you understand, he’s a gifted participant, there’s little question about that.
So I believe, once more, it could be a difficulty of Jurgen Klopp giving him that data to digest and, if he have been to signal, it could take some time to regulate.
However you’ve received Virgil van Dijk there who, after all, is a Dutch defensive legend, so there’s an excellent particular person to be taught from.
* Thanks once more to Kevin Hatchard for the lowdown on Micky van de Ven. Comply with Kevin on Twitter @kevinhatchard.
