Three fantastic replacements for Micky van de Ven at Tottenham | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for a summer of upheaval with several key players poised to leave after a second disappointing season on the trot.

One player widely expected to exit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer is centre-back Micky van de Ven.

Regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, several sides will be eager to pounce on this opportunity to snap up the Spurs ace.

Tottenham will need a succession plan in case he leaves, and in this article we analyse three centre-halves who can replace the rapid Dutchman.

Jacobo Ramon (Como)

One player Tottenham should be all over is Como man Jacobo Ramon. He has been a rock at the back for Cesc Fabregas’ side.

The Real Madrid academy starlet has blossomed in Italy, earning himself a reputation as one of the best young defenders around.

Ramon has won 66.2% of his aerial and 55% of his ground duels in 26 Serie A appearances this season, helping to keep 11 clean sheets.

He gets his head to everything, establishing himself as a threat in the opposition box. He will likely improve upon his tally of two goals this season.

Como have only conceded 18 goals this season while Ramon is on the pitch.

Also, he is smooth on the ball, regularly progressing play with his cultured passing and laudable carrying.

Tottenham need a dominant figure at the back to make the rearguard impregnable, and Ramon fits the bill.

If Madrid take Van de Ven, they won’t have a reason to activate the buyback clause in Ramon’s deal, allowing Spurs to position themselves ahead of the queue for Ramon.

Jan Paul Van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Another game-changing defender who should be on the Spurs transfer shortlist is Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jan Paul Van Hecke. He is turning heads in the Premier League.

The Dutchman has been a terrific addition to the Brighton backline. He has won 57% of his aerial and 66% of his ground duels in 29 Premier League outings so far.

He has contributed three goals and two assists, showing his prowess in the opposition box.

Also, his experience playing under potential future Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi will prove invaluable.

Van Hecke is one of the best ball-playing centre-backs around and will be a brilliant piece in shoring up Tottenham’s leaky defence.

Brighton will likely demand an arm and a leg for Van Hecke, but if Spurs get a good sum for Van de Ven, they should have more than enough to reinvest in a potentially world-class defender.

Antonio Silva (Benfica)

Former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has used Antonio Silva sparingly this season at Benfica, leading to reports that the Portuguese international might seek a move away.

If he does, Tottenham should be ready to pounce. The highly-touted 22-year-old can develop into a world-beater with his physical profile.

Silva reads the game intelligently, allowing him to put out fires before they become dangerous. He defends his box aggressively and takes no prisoners.

In 19 appearances in the Portuguese top flight this term, he has helped keep six clean sheets, winning 58% of his aerial and 63% of his ground duels.

The 6ft2 defender is in the first percentile for successful tackles against dribblers this season. His short- and long-passing ability is exquisite.

According to reports, Benfica are open to his exit for €15-25million, significantly lower than his €100 million release clause.

This is an opportunity Spurs cannot miss.

He is still a fantastic prospect with remarkably high upside despite the lack of interest, which is mostly due to his profile rather than talent.