Bumper new contract for Micky van de Ven is a no-brainer for Tottenham

Tottenham have a superstar defender in Micky van de Ven, and ensuring the Dutchman is committed for the long haul must be sky-high on the club's priorities.

Van de Ven is a unicorn centre-back. Is there, and has there ever been, anyone quite like him? His outstanding solo goal against Copenhagen, one which echoed Son Heung-min's Puskas winner from 2019, laid bare his freakish physical gifts.

Signed from Wolfsburg in 2023, Van de Ven became a major protagonist within Ange Postecoglou's all-or-nothing framework. However, the unrelenting sprint tally took its toll, and significant hamstring injuries compromised both of the seasons he spent under the Australian coach. Still, he was on hand to deliver that match-saving clearance in the Europa League final, two weeks before Ange got the boot.

There was a sense that Van de Ven's body would benefit from playing under the more pragmatic Thomas Frank, and while there perhaps haven't been as many outstanding defensive sequences, the Dutchman has swiftly evolved into a complete centre-back and one of Europe's best.

His otherworldly strike on Tuesday night means he leads our scoring charts with six, which, while an indictment of Spurs' attacking issues, supplies further evidence of Van de Ven's one-in-a-million profile.

World-class Micky van de Ven must be treated like superstar by Tottenham

There have at least been signals from ENIC of a newfound footballing ambition in recent months, with the moves made in the summer pointing towards an alternate path being tread.

Xavi Simons, the 23-year-old playmaker, has become the club's joint-highest paid player, earning, according to Capology, £195,000 a week. He joined Cristian Romero at the top of the wage bill, with our new skipper signing a new deal in August.

Simons may well evolve into the face-of-the-franchise his talent promised upon his arrival, but, for now, Tottenham's two superstars in a post-Harry Kane and Son Heung-min world are their centre-halves. Romero was rewarded, now it's Van de Ven's turn.

The Dutch international is Spurs' tenth-highest earner, but a report from the Telegraph's Matt Law suggests Van de Ven will soon be offered a contract by the club, which is reflective of his status as one of Europe's best at his position.

With three and a half years left on his deal, there's no rush, but Spurs must be proactive. There are grander institutions out there, and why wouldn't they be interested in the Bullet Bill-like defender who can evolve into a macho Lionel Messi whenever he pleases?

Offer him the world, Tottenham. Micky's don't grow on trees.