Tottenham have already wrapped up the signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi but more new arrivals could follow soon for Roberto De Zerbi this summer
Soon Liverpool might not be the only Premier League side heavily associated with the Dutch national team – Tottenham could well follow suit.
Sunday’s Group F opener against Japan in Dallas potentially offered a glimpse into an exciting future under Roberto De Zerbi.
Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, who suffered a nasty eye injury, both started in defence while two Tottenham-linked wingers threatened from the flanks for Oranje.
Crysencio Summerville scored while Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo came close on several occasions as Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada snatched a late leveller in Texas.
Speaking ahead of the game, Van Hecke made it clear – without actually naming Tottenham – that a switch to north London, where he will reunite with De Zerbi, appears a formality.
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He has just one year remaining on his contract with Brighton and he’s ready to join Spurs, where he could well partner compatriot Van de Ven at the heart of defence.
For too long now, Tottenham have been short of options, particularly amid a ridiculous injury record. Now – under a top boss – they’ve got options galore and that will help drive them up the Premier League table next term. Van de Ven was excellent at left-back, using his athleticism to get up the pitch and deliver low balls across the box while Van Hecke, for spells, looked comfortable next to Virgil van Dijk.
He is not blessed with pace, however, so he struggles to turn and sprint when up against speedy attackers, though Van de Ven’s pace should offer extra protection.
What’s good for Spurs is that despite signing Andy Robertson, Van de Ven can also be a serious option at left-back next season now that Marcos Senesi, a left-sided centre-back, has arrived in N17.
It also provides them with the option of switching to a back-three with Van Hecke (providing he joins), Senesi, and Van de Ven with Robertson and Pedro Porro as wing-backs. That is a very credible defensive line.
Van Hecke is also a good passer and can brush the ball through the lines – just like Cuti Romero. He completed 87 of his 95 passes and won all five of his duels.
Additionally, up the other end, Summerville showcased that he could be worth a punt. Signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham was sweet enough but raiding their bitter rivals again for the Dutchman following their relegation to the Championship would be sheer brutality.
Summerville played from the right for Holland and was still effective, even though he is far for dangerous from the opposition flank. Cody Gakpo has been linked with Spurs in recent weeks, too.
At 27, he still has more to give and De Zerbi is the kind of coach that could get the best from him, however, if you were watching this game with no clue about any players, Summerville is undoubtedly the one you’d jump at to sign out of the two.
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