Ruud Gullit admits he sees himself in Tottenham star – Big praise indeed
When Ruud Gullit speaks about defenders, the football world listens. The legendary Dutchman, whose trophy cabinet includes European Championships, Ballons d’Or, and domestic titles across four countries, has identified a kindred spirit in Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven.
Gullit’s recent revelation that he immediately saw himself in the young center-back when first observing him play offers fascinating insight into what makes the Spurs defender special.
Gullit’s credentials as a judge of defensive talent are unimpeachable. The man who revolutionized the sweeper role during AC Milan’s dominant late-1980s side, while simultaneously excelling as an attacking midfielder earlier in his career, possesses a unique perspective on what separates good defenders from transcendent ones.
His comparison to Van de Ven carries particular weight because it comes not from superficial similarities, but from recognizing the same qualities that made Gullit himself one of football’s most complete players.
“The first time I saw him, I recognized myself, because I always played defender too,” Gullit told Voetbal Primeur. “He always went forward, was very fast. I thought he’s a good footballer, but I didn’t expect it to go so fast either.
He’s very fast, big, strong, so he already had all the ingredients to become very good.” These comments reveal why Van de Ven has adapted so seamlessly to Premier League football – he embodies the modern defender prototype that Gullit himself pioneered decades earlier.
The parallels between the two Dutchmen extend beyond their physical attributes. Both represent that rare breed of center-back equally comfortable launching attacks as stopping them, possessing the technical assurance to advance with the ball and the tactical intelligence to know when to do so.
Gullit’s acknowledgment of Van de Ven’s forward-thinking mentality highlights how the Tottenham defender continues the Dutch tradition of defenders who serve as the first line of attack – a philosophy that produced icons like Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard.
Van de Ven’s explosive debut season in North London demonstrated precisely the qualities Gullit admires. His recovery pace became the stuff of Premier League legend, with several last-ditch interventions saving Tottenham points.
Yet equally impressive was his composure in possession, completing 90% of his passes while frequently carrying the ball into midfield to break opposition presses.
These attributes mirror Gullit’s own playing style during his later years at Milan, where his defensive solidity and distribution skills made him the prototype of the modern ball-playing center-back.
| Comparative Attributes: Gullit vs Van de Ven |
|---|
| Physical Dominance: Both combine rare athleticism with imposing stature |
| Technical Proficiency: Comfortable advancing play from defense |
| Tactical Versatility: Capable in multiple defensive systems |
| Progressive Mentality: See defending as the start of attacks |
| Adaptability: Excelled immediately in new leagues/countries |
Gullit’s surprise at Van de Ven’s rapid development speaks volumes about the 23-year-old’s trajectory. When a player of Gullit’s stature admits he underestimated how quickly a young defender would adapt to elite football, it underscores Van de Ven’s exceptional learning curve.
The Tottenham star has condensed what for most defenders would be years of gradual improvement into a single transformative season, evolving from promising Wolfsburg prospect to one of the Premier League’s most complete center-backs.
What makes Gullit’s praise particularly noteworthy is its timing. The Dutch legend could have waited until Van de Ven collected more silverware or established himself at international level before drawing comparisons.
That he chose to voice his admiration now suggests he sees in Van de Ven not just potential, but the early manifestations of greatness. When a Ballon d’Or winner recognizes his younger self in a player, it typically precedes that player’s ascent to the game’s highest echelons.
For Tottenham, Gullit’s endorsement confirms what the analytics and eye test already showed – they possess a defender capable of defining an era. Van de Ven represents the perfect marriage of traditional defensive virtues and modern requirements, much like Gullit did in his prime.
His pace solves problems before they develop, his strength dominates physical battles, and his reading of the game allows him to intercept danger proactively rather than reactively.
As Van de Ven continues his development, Gullit’s comments will likely become a touchstone for evaluating his progress.
The young defender now carries not just Tottenham’s defensive hopes, but the weight of comparison to one of football’s most complete players.
If he can harness even a portion of Gullit’s trophy-winning mentality to complement his physical gifts, Spurs may have secured the cornerstone of their defense for the next decade.
In an era where elite center-backs command nine-figure fees, Van de Ven’s emergence as a Gullit-esque force could prove priceless.