Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has faced significant criticism from sections of the Dutch media following his performance for the Netherlands in their World Cup qualifying match against Poland.
Mixed Reviews for Defensive Display
The Netherlands played out a 1-1 draw against Poland on Friday in a World Cup qualifying clash that left them needing just one point from their final game to mathematically secure their spot at the 2026 tournament. Despite the positive position in their group, individual performances came under scrutiny, particularly that of Spurs defender Van de Ven.
The Tottenham star featured at left-back against the Poles, a position he has occupied regularly during recent international camps. However, his efforts drew contrasting reviews from different media outlets, highlighting an inconsistent performance that divided opinion among analysts.
Media Ratings Split on Tottenham Defender
Dutch publication Voetbal International offered the most generous assessment, awarding Van de Ven a 7/10 rating - the highest defensive score in their analysis. Meanwhile, Football Oranje provided a more moderate 6/10 rating, acknowledging both positive and negative aspects of his game.
The most critical review came from Voetbal Primeur, who could only muster a 5/10 rating for the Tottenham man. Their analysis highlighted particular defensive vulnerabilities, noting that "Van de Ven repeatedly lost Matty Cash and at times played very weak defence against Poland's most dangerous man."
The review did acknowledge one standout moment, referencing "one excellent run forward in the first half" that drew a dangerous foul, reminiscent of his spectacular goal for Tottenham this season. However, this bright spot was described as being "in stark contrast to the rest of his performance."
Tactical Questions and Statistical Breakdown
Some criticism extended beyond individual performance to question manager Ronald Koeman's tactical setup. Voetbal Primeur suggested that "the fact that Cash was able to appear so freely seems also to be due to Koeman's flawed tactical plan," potentially sharing responsibility for the defensive issues.
The statistical picture painted a similarly mixed performance. According to Sofascore, Van de Ven was dribbled past once and made an error that led to an opposition shot. Conversely, Fotmob data showed the defender completed 100 percent of his passes and long balls while making three defensive contributions and completing the most dribbles of any player on the pitch.
The result leaves the Netherlands requiring just a single point from their upcoming clash with Lithuania to secure World Cup qualification. Even if they were to lose, closest rivals Poland would need a substantial victory over Malta to overcome the current 13-goal difference between the two nations.
Meanwhile, Tottenham teammate Xavi Simons remained an unused substitute throughout the match, continuing what has been a challenging start to life at Spurs following his £52 million summer transfer from RB Leipzig.
