Jamie O’Hara has claimed Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven would “come into the Manchester City team”.
Van de Ven has attracted attention since joining spurs from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023, with his pace proving an invaluable asset to Ange Postecoglou’s defence.
Unfortunately, the Dutch international has suffered long absences with hamstring injuries, which are common for extremely fast players.
But that hasn’t stopped Van de Ven from becoming hugely popular with Spurs fans, if even drawn links at Real Madrid, perennial European champion.
Is Micky van de Ven ‘world class’?
Whether or not Van de Ven can be described as ‘world class’ is a matter of debate, most recently between the former Spurs midfielder and his talkSPORT co-host Dean Saunders.
But O’Hara says he would be a safe starter under Pep Guardiola at Man City.
O’Hara and Saunders assaulted Van de Ven in the following conversation (transcribed by TBR):
Jamie O’Hara: “I think Van de Ven is a world-class player.”
Dean Saunders: “Van de Ven? He’s had a season playing on the top line. World class? Van de Ven?”
Jamie O’Hara: “Van de Ven is world class.”
Dean Saunders: “He’s not getting into the Manchester City team. He’s not getting into Liverpool.”
Jamie O’Hara: “What are you talking about? He would go straight into the Manchester City team. He does.”
Dean Saunders: “Not a chance.”
Jamie O’Hara: “Get into any team.”
Dean Saunders: “He has to prove for a couple of years that he can keep playing in the Premier League at this level without making mistakes. No mistakes. The best players don’t make mistakes.”
Jamie O’Hara: “Of course they do.”
Dean Saunders: “Van Dijk hardly makes mistakes. He does occasionally, but not as many as others. And that’s why he’s Van Dijk. Konate doesn’t make that many mistakes. Man City centre-backs.”
