We have compared Micky van de Ven’s performance with that of Tottenham transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke after both defenders featured in the Netherlands’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur have as many as 11 players representing their respective nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On Sunday evening, Micky van de Ven was one of the first Spurs stars in action as the Netherlands looked to get their tournament off to a winning start against Japan.
However, it was not to be for the Dutch side, who were held to a 2-2 draw after goals from Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville were cancelled out by Daichi Kamada and Shunsuke Nakamura.
Not only was Van de Ven in action, but Spurs target Jan Paul van Hecke also featured alongside van Dijk at the heart of the Netherlands defence.
Tottenham will surely have been keeping a close eye on the centre-back, with the club keen on signing him during the summer transfer window.
Tottenham target Jan Paul van Hecke impresses with Netherlands stats
Despite the draw, Van Hecke was one of the better performers for the Netherlands based on the numbers. The defender was handed a 7.3 rating by FotMob after completing the full 90 minutes.
He also was not at fault for either goal, but the Dutchman would no doubt have been disappointed not to have walked away with all three points.
He was not dribbled past once and registered 92% passing accuracy, completing 87 of his 95 passes against Japan.
Van Hecke also managed one shot on target and two touches in the opposition box, while 21 of his passes were played into the final third. He was dominant in his duels, winning all of his ground and aerial battles.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Accurate passes | 87/95 (92%) |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Shot accuracy | 1/1 (100%) |
| Defensive contributions | 8 |
| Touches | 106 |
| Touches in opposition box | 2 |
| Passes into final third | 21 |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Headed clearances | 4 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Recoveries | 2 |
| Ground duels won | 3/3 (100%) |
| Aerial duels won | 2/2 (100%) |
Micky van de Ven stats fall short of Tottenham target
Van de Ven was also in action, although not in his natural centre-back role. Instead, he operated on the right side of defence, which is a role he regularly fills for the Netherlands.
The Tottenham defender was not quite as impressive statistically as Van Hecke, with FotMob handing him a 6.6 player rating.
Van de Ven did register a better pass accuracy than the Spurs target, completing 41 of his 42 passes at 98%. He also recorded five defensive contributions, 62 touches and three touches in the opposition box, while four of his passes were played into the final third.
He was not dribbled past once and was never dispossessed throughout the match. The defender also won two of his three aerial duels and two of his four ground duels.
| Stat | Total |
| Ground duels won | 2/4 (50%) |
| Aerial duels won | 2/3 (67%) |
| Defensive contributions | 5 |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Headed clearances | 4 |
| Recoveries | 1 |
| Touches | 62 |
| Touches in opposition box | 3 |
| Successful dribbles | 1/1 (100%) |
| Passes into final third | 4 |