“Tottenham Hotspur star shocking responds” when asked if he is faster than Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka
England face a huge week as Gareth Southgate leads his side into a Euro 2024 semi-final clash against the Netherlands in Dortmund.
Reaching the semi-finals of a major tournament should be fun and exciting but few England fans have felt that way at Euro 2024.
England have scraped through to the semi-finals, edging past a modest cast of Serbia, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland.
England now meet the Netherlands in the last four, with a spot in the final against France or Spain up for grabs.
The Netherlands beat Turkiye 2-1 over the weekend and Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven had a huge role to play as a substitute.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka
Van de Ven came off the bench and made a crucial block to see the Netherlands through.
Zeki Celik had the goal at his mercy and would have brought Turkiye level but for Van de Ven miraculously managing to get himself in the way.
The Tottenham Hotspur man has yet to start a game at Euro 2024 with Manchester City’s Nathan Ake preferred at left back.
Van de Ven has been reliable as a substitute though and Ronald Koeman may be tempted to throw him into the side against England.
That would see Van de Ven come up against Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka down England’s right side.
Saka was the hero for England against Switzerland on Saturday, producing a superb equaliser before scoring in the penalty shootout.
Any Netherlands left back – whether it’s Van de Ven or Ake – will have their hands full trying to contain Saka on Wednesday night.
Van de Ven has now told Algemeen Dagblad that he knows Saka well having come up against him in the Premier League.
The Tottenham ace feels that he is ready to start against Saka if called upon, but is leaving up to Koeman to make that decision.
“As a substitute you can be a permanent asset,” said Van de Ven. “The role I now have is a substitute. I know Saka from Arsenal. It is up to the national coach whether I start.”
Van de Ven on speed battle with Saka
Van de Ven is a hugely impressive defender but his most easily recognisable talent is his blazing speed.
The Dutchman is absolutely rapid, almost terrifyingly so for a centre back.
Few attackers will be able to outpace Van de Ven and that probably goes for Saka too.
The Arsenal man is an exceptional player but he isn’t a winger who can count speed as his calling card.
That isn’t to say that Saka is slow, but he causes problems in different ways – and Van de Ven believes there is no contest if it is just about speed.
“Who’s faster? Saka or me? If you look at the data, you already know the answer,” said Van de Ven.
UEFA’s tracking shows that Van de Ven has been clocked at 35.6km/h during Euro 2024; only six players have been clocked at a faster speed.
Saka, by comparison, ranks 81st in the speed ranks at Euro 2024 with a top speed of 33.5km/h.
Van de Ven is right; the stats prove that he is faster than Saka and if the pair get into a foot race, the Spurs defender would likely win.
Saka has plenty of ways to cause problems though and his sheer efficiency in the final third is enough to impact any game if given the chance.
