Clive Allen says Tottenham player was ‘absolutely outstanding’ despite Man City loss
By – Thiruselvam
Clive Allen has suggested that he was blown away by the performance of one Tottenham Hotspur player despite the side’s defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup last week.
Ange Postecoglou’s men were knocked out of the competition due to a late Nathan Ake goal. Guglielmo Vicario will be disappointed with his role in the goal. But Spurs largely defended superbly well over the course of the evening.
Micky van de Ven was making only his second appearance since returning from injury. The Dutchman was missed during his time on the sidelines, with Ange Postecoglou often having to field the likes of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at centre-back.
Clive Allen amazed by Micky van de Ven despite Tottenham defeat
Van de Ven has been a revelation in the Premier League this season. Certainly, Tottenham spending £34.5 million to sign him is looking like a masterstroke right now.
And speaking on Inside Spurs, Clive Allen suggested that he was so impressed by the 22-year-old’s display, and was blown away by the block he made from Julian Alvarez during the second-half when it seemed that the World Cup winner was seemingly one on one with Vicario.
“Well, not long back. But he’s back, there’s no doubt. I thought he was absolutely outstanding. The performance he gave against obviously, very, very top opposition was a big test. But he came through it with flying colours,” he said.
“I have to say, in commentary, I thought that it was a miss. I thought he completely miskicked it. And it wasn’t until a corner was given, and Alvarez you can see holding his head, and you now see why, because it’s the most incredible block in respect of getting across and getting the left boot up. And it’s not on the floor, the left boot is high and he’s blocking the shot probably two feet off the ground. That’s superb defending.”
Huge boost for Spurs to have defender back
It is a huge boost for Tottenham to have van de Ven back in the side as the second-half of the campaign really gets going.
Obviously, Spurs would have hoped to remain in the FA Cup. However, being able to focus on the Premier League may take some of the pressure off the Dutchman.
His pace is so valuable to Spurs. There does not appear to be an attacker who can outrun the centre-back. And that is so important when Tottenham do tend to play a very high line.
Certainly, it will be a huge boost to Spurs’ title hopes if they have Cristian Romero and van de Ven playing together for the rest of the campaign.
Source – TBRF ootball
