https://v.redd.it/nwpshc1qvtne1
created by mathhits on 10/03/2025 at 09:06 UTC
83 upvotes, 18 top-level comments (showing 18)
Spent probably way too long watching Van de Ven run just now.
Two things stood out to me in this clip.
First, I don’t think he doesn’t allow himself to hit top speed as he’s chasing the ball through ball (0:03-0:05ish). I think previously he may have sprinted toward the ball/player, using his pace as a weapon, whereas in this moment he was content to just keep pace and jockey. Not necessarily worse.
And second, as the ball comes off the post (0:09) and he turns, his acceleration is less explosive and looks very smooth. He still covers the ground and defends well, it just looks.. different? More refined.
Could these be the results of working with a form and mechanics specialist? Am I seeing things?
Comment by polseriat at 10/03/2025 at 09:13 UTC
107 upvotes, 2 direct replies
He was pretty clearly told to not go full sprint. He had a chance to break along the left wing during the match but slowed down and passed it centrally instead.
Comment by niziou at 10/03/2025 at 09:12 UTC
42 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I think it could psychological. Dude is scared to tear his hamstring again
Comment by Lmforpres at 10/03/2025 at 09:42 UTC
44 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Comment by PepFartiola at 10/03/2025 at 09:11 UTC
30 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I thought he definitely looked less explosive when he came on. Difficult to know at the moment whether that's due to the lack of match sharpness or it's more permanent, but one to keep an eye on for sure
Comment by ReynoldsHouseOfShred at 10/03/2025 at 11:00 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Still runs well. Wish we could do something to keep him going he's too fast for his own legs
Comment by 7screws at 10/03/2025 at 12:04 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I used to get excited when I saw him bomb forward with the ball, now just get anxious.
Comment by BrokenBenchwarmer at 10/03/2025 at 13:19 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It's his first professional minutes in a while, dude's probably just working his body up to full speed again. I don't think we need to get overly academic with this one.
Comment by Ted-Crilly at 10/03/2025 at 10:19 UTC*
8 upvotes, 3 direct replies
I cant help but think this particular video is on udogie to cover the run inside! VDV covered well enough until he was caught in 2 minds when he saw he was tracking the same plager as him
Edit: its djed, not udogie
Comment by Zhurg at 10/03/2025 at 12:29 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don't get it? If he runs any faster he leaves the pass behind him open. He is running at an appropriate speed considering the context.
Comment by Extra-Photo3822 at 10/03/2025 at 12:45 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
He looked very upright to me. I wonder if that’s a feature of some of the biomechanics work they’ve apparently done
Comment by genzod04 at 10/03/2025 at 15:17 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I mean yes you can look at it a certain way, but this setup is a good example of why we are, where we are currently. CBs are outnumbered & sprinting back towards goal. This system doesn't work...
Comment by danishdynamite23 at 10/03/2025 at 18:32 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Lotta armchair footballer critiquing a man who can nearly 40km an hour
Comment by rangbyknell at 10/03/2025 at 12:47 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I think here he is just showing the defender out wide, he doesn't need to go full speed and risk Tavernier getting inside on his left foot.
Comment by DaithiOSeac at 10/03/2025 at 13:04 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I was full sure he was gone again when I saw this.
Comment by Koinfamous2 at 10/03/2025 at 13:10 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I've torn my hamstring twice (same one) and yeah, it is massively psychological when you first come back fearing of the reinjury and rehab all over again. Confidence comes over time, it is just natural.
As for the clip, I was SCREAMING at Spence thru the TV. Why on earth he's watching VDV tracking Kluivert and decides to just leave his trailing runner free was just mindblowing.
Comment by minimus_ at 10/03/2025 at 14:33 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Interesting post. He is running differently for sure. And I would say -- better.
He's got a more positive torso angle. His knees are getting higher thanks to reduced backside mechanics. His ankles look like they're not passing his knees. And he looks slightly more agile in the turn, although this clip alone isn't much to go on.
Only a short clip but imo there is definite evidence here of the technical work Ange has been talking about.
Comment by iqjump123 at 10/03/2025 at 15:20 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
And before everybody starts judging- this is his first match against an epl side, he cant be full speed and match fitness. Same with romero yesterday.
Comment by JalopyStudios at 10/03/2025 at 12:28 UTC*
-2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don't think he's being told how to run.
He's coming back from a succession of hamstring injuries. Of course it's going to have a psychological effect on your movements for a while afterwards. Anyone who's ever had muscle injuries from football will tell you that you're not fully extending yourself until you feel confident you can.
I think this VDV "running technique" thing is PR spin put out by the club/manager to cover up for the fact that he was thrown back into the team far too soon the previous 2 times, which resulted in him getting injured again.