Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has singled out Wilson Odobert as one of the most technically gifted players at the club.
Asked to identify the most skilful footballer in the Tottenham squad, the Netherlands international named Odobert, even though the club boasts a number of established attacking talents.
Van de Ven highlights Odobert’s flair despite the competition
Speaking to Sky Sports, Van de Ven passed over several high-profile attacking names in the North London dressing room—among them James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, and Dejan Kulusevski—to spotlight Odobert and his outstanding command of the ball:
“Odobert, but he is injured right now… But I will say Wilson is for sure up there! His feet are so quick, and just technical-wise he’s just a top player.”
having faced the 21-year-old regularly in training at Hotspur Way, Van de Ven’s praise reflects just how highly his teammates rate Odobert’s natural dribbling and close control.
Odobert’s Tottenham career disrupted by injuries
Odobert has endured a frustrating time since arriving at Tottenham from Burnley in the summer of 2024.
The French winger joined the club as an exciting young attacker, widely regarded as a player capable of beating defenders and generating chances from wide areas.
His progress, however, has been repeatedly interrupted by injury.
His most recent setback came in February, when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a fixture against Newcastle United.
The damage forced a long spell on the sidelines and a lengthy rehabilitation programme.
| Season | Injury | Date Sustained | Return / Status | Days Sidelined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Cruciate ligament tear (knee) | 10 Feb 2026 | Still recovering | 276+ days |
| 2024/25 | Hamstring injury | 27 Oct 2024 | 13 Feb 2025 | 110 |
| 2024/25 | Hamstring injury | 18 Sep 2024 | 23 Oct 2024 | 36 |
There have, though, been encouraging signs on the recovery front in recent weeks.
Odobert has returned to individual training on the grass, an important milestone on the road back.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has said the winger is aiming to rejoin full team training in January, once the festive fixtures are behind the squad.
Why Odobert could thrive under De Zerbi
Odobert’s return would give De Zerbi a dynamic attacking option.
The Italian’s system depends heavily on fearless, technically gifted wide forwards who can isolate full-backs in one-on-one duels and perform in congested areas.
The Frenchman’s pace could prove especially valuable against sides that sit in compact, low blocks.
As De Zerbi continues to fine-tune his forward line, Odobert has a real chance to cement his place in the squad once he is fully fit.
