Dutch media and a former international have pinpointed Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven as the ideal long-term replacement for the struggling Liverpool captain, whose difficult season continued with a poor display for the Netherlands.
Virgil van Dijk’s alarming dip in form has spilled over onto the international stage, with the Liverpool captain delivering a performance for the Netherlands that has drawn sharp criticism and sparked a conversation about his eventual successor.
In the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Poland, a result that delayed their World Cup qualification, Van Dijk was singled out for his role in the Polish goal. Dutch outlet Football Oranje gave him a low rating, noting he was “caught out for the goal with his lack of pace,” while De Telegraaf claimed he was “positioned incorrectly.”
The scrutiny comes at a time when Van Dijk is already under pressure at club level, with Liverpool having lost five of their last six Premier League games. While Dutch manager Ronald Koeman refused to blame one player, stating “several players weren’t doing what they’re supposed to,” the focus remained firmly on his captain.
In the wake of the performance, former Netherlands defender Khalid Boulahrouz has publicly anointed Tottenham’s rising star, Micky van de Ven, as the ideal heir to Van Dijk for both club and country.
“I think he’s the ideal successor to Virgil van Dijk, both in the Dutch national team and at Liverpool,” Boulahrouz told ESPN NL. “He’s physically strong and incredibly quick. Opponents know that, so they don’t even try to get past him anymore.”
While acknowledging Van Dijk remains “a world-class player,” Boulahrouz suggested the physical toll of years in the Premier League may be showing and that Koeman has “long since realized that Van Dijk’s successor is already out there.”
The pressure is not isolated to Van Dijk. His Liverpool teammate, Ryan Gravenberch, was also branded “lazy” by pundit Pierre van Hooijdonk for his work rate in the same match.
For Van Dijk, the international break has offered no respite from the criticism, and the emergence of a clear, young successor at his position only intensifies the spotlight on his current struggles.
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