With Liverpool reportedly “one hundred pc” signing a centre-back this summer time, we took a more in-depth have a look at probably the most heavily-linked defenders.
Micky van de Ven is simply 22 years previous, but is already drawing the eye of high 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 at present, and we thought we might ask somebody who has seen him play a lot, 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 very strong season with Wolfsburg.
He performed nearly each recreation, each minute really, till deep into the season.
And, he’s any individual who actually stepped up underneath 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 possibility?
He’s any individual that Jorg Schmadtke is aware of very, very effectively as a result of he was the one which signed him from Volendam.
Ajax have been very serious about him when he made that transfer, so Wolsfburg have been capable of nip in there and get him.
Clearly, a transfer to Liverpool is gigantic – you would need to persuade him that he had a real likelihood of development and stepping into the primary workforce frequently finally.
What may he convey to Liverpool?
He’s left-footed, which is at all times nice as a result of, you already know, coaches love to seek out left-footed defenders in build-up.
I believe he’s snug on the ball, and does the defensive fundamentals very, very effectively.
He nonetheless has so much to study, 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 plenty of sense’.
Might he additionally play left-back?
Yeah, I believe he can be versatile. I imply he’s snug on the ball.
I believe, you already know, he’s a gifted participant, there’s little question about that.
So I believe, once more, it will be a problem of Jurgen Klopp giving him that data to digest and, if he have been to signal, it will 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 awesome particular person to study from.
* Thanks once more to Kevin Hatchard for the lowdown on Micky van de Ven. Observe Kevin on Twitter @kevinhatchard.
