Djed Spence believes that Tottenham teammate Micky van de Ven can "get to the very, very top" in football. Signed from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023, the Dutchman was a standout player in Ange Postecoglou's first season as Spurs boss after adapting incredibly quickly to the Premier League.
Not only impressing with his defensive attributes, the 23-year-old's ability on the ball was also noted as was his blistering pace. Spence and Van de Ven may not have featured together in the 2023/24 campaign due to the full-back's two loan moves away from the club but they have had a handful of opportunities to play together for Tottenham this term.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Spence was asked to name the best centre-backs in the Premier League and he duly namechecked his Spurs colleague.
"Yeah, [Virgil] Van Dijk. [William] Saliba is a top centre-back and my teammate Micky actually," revealed the Tottenham man. "He's top, he's top. I think he can get to the very, very top. In terms of centre-back, those two."
Spence was then asked for his thoughts on Ibrahima Konate, who partners Van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool's defence. He said: "I rate him, he's a top defender. I think after Virgil, Saliba is the next centre-back."
Following a change in topic to full-backs, Spence was quizzed on the full-back he looked towards when trying to make a name for himself in the game. "I always looked at Kyle Walker to be fair," explained the 24-year-old. "What a player, phenomenal player, what he's done in the game.
"For me, the right-back in Premier League history. He's an animal. Physicality, good at going forward, good at defending. I'd probably say him is the level I want to get to."
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