The Dutch international has shone for Lazio in Serie A and has reportedly attracted the attentions of Totttenham Hotspur.
From Toby Alderweireld to Jan Vertonghen, Eric Dier and Kevin Wimmer, there’s a certain characteristic that epitomises Mauricio Pochettino’s defenders at Tottenham Hotspur; their ability to play out from the back with precision and expansive distribution.
Therefore, it’s no surprise to learn that La Reppublica have tipped Spurs to make a bid for Lazio’s Dutch international centre-back Stefan De Vrij.
The fact that Louis Van Gaal entrusted so much responsibility in the then-22 year old during The Netherlands run to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup says a lot about De Vrij’s maturity, not to mention his style of play.
He is class personified, a player capable of reading the game from both an attacking and defensive standpoint, enabling him to kick-start attacks with perfectly weighted passes from the back or bring an end to opposition forays with a well-timed interception.
Like Alderweireld and Vertonghen, De Vrij honed his trade in the Total Voetball influenced surrounds of the Dutch Eredivisie, meaning he learned to play and prevent in equal measure. According to WhoScored, he has averaged a pass completion rate of 86.6 per cent across the previous four campaigns but that’s not to say he’s all style and little substance.
Blending his Dutch traditions with the Catenaccio-infused Serie A, De Vrij’s interceptions per game have far outstrips his tackles per game in Italy’s top flight. In short, he’s a much more rounded, intelligent defender these days though it’s his excellent ball-playing ability that ensures he stands out.
It’s a characteristic Pochettino, an exponent of high tempo passing football, demands of his centre-halves. De Vrij, then, just about ticks every available box.
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