Vinai Venkatesham’s Micky van de Ven plans may have been scuppered by Tottenham
Micky van de Ven was visibly furious following Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea, and his reaction after the final whistle has reportedly raised eyebrows within the club’s hierarchy.
The Dutch defender’s anger was clear for all to see as he stormed straight down the tunnel, ignoring teammates and manager Thomas Frank in the process. While such frustration might be understandable after such a poor display, it could also spell potential trouble for Spurs as they look to secure his long-term future in North London.
Tottenham’s performance against their London rivals was one of their most worrying in recent memory. Despite being at home, Frank’s side failed to muster any real attacking threat, creating an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.10 — the lowest ever recorded by a Tottenham team in a Premier League match. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, dominated proceedings, and by the time the final whistle blew, the home supporters could not hide their discontent, greeting their team with a chorus of boos.
Van de Ven, who has been one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers since joining from Wolfsburg, appeared to take the criticism personally. His decision to head straight down the tunnel without acknowledging the fans or his manager has now sparked speculation about his state of mind and his commitment to the club’s project under Frank. Sources suggest the 24-year-old defender was “disgusted” by the team’s overall performance and the response from the crowd, an emotional reaction that may lead to deeper reflections about his future.
The Dutch international is currently tied to Tottenham until 2028, meaning the club is under no immediate pressure to sell. However, with major European clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea all monitoring his situation, Spurs are understandably eager to avoid any uncertainty. Reports indicate that Tottenham’s chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, has already opened talks over a new deal aimed at rewarding Van de Ven for his impressive performances and deterring interest from abroad.
Still, the defender’s recent outburst has fueled concerns that he may be growing frustrated with the lack of progress under Thomas Frank. Tottenham began the season full of optimism, but their form has dipped sharply, and questions are being raised about whether the club’s long-term project is convincing enough to keep top talents like Van de Ven happy.
From Tottenham’s perspective, any potential suitor would face a major obstacle: the defender’s valuation. Given his age, Premier League experience, and the length of his contract, Spurs would demand an astronomical fee to even consider parting ways with one of their prized assets. Yet even the highest price tag can’t completely erase worries about player satisfaction — especially when public displays of frustration begin to surface.
Despite the growing chatter, football pundits like Alan Shearer have come to Van de Ven’s defense. Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Shearer said he could fully understand the defender’s reaction after such an embarrassing team display. “It’s an embarrassment today; they’ve been booed off the pitch,” Shearer said. “I get that they just want to get off the pitch and say their apologies later. Emotions run high in moments like this — sometimes walking straight down the tunnel is just a player’s way of showing how much they care.”
For now, Tottenham are likely to downplay the incident publicly, emphasizing Van de Ven’s professionalism and passion for the club. But privately, there’s no doubt that the board will be monitoring the situation closely. They cannot afford to let frustration fester among their key players, especially one as important to their defensive structure as the Dutchman.
Van de Ven’s reaction may simply have been a moment of raw emotion after a disappointing loss — or it could be an early warning sign that he’s growing restless. Either way, Tottenham will need to show him that their ambitions match his own if they want to secure his long-term commitment. With elite clubs circling and Spurs’ fanbase becoming increasingly frustrated, the coming months could prove crucial in determining whether Van de Ven remains a cornerstone of Tottenham’s future or becomes the next big name lured away from North London.