Micky van de Ven makes worrying but honest admission that will worry Tottenham hierarchy and Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham Hotspur’s rising defensive star, Micky van de Ven, is set for a pivotal role with the Netherlands national team during the upcoming October international break. At just 23 years old, the Dutch defender has already made a significant impact in his first few months in the Premier League. This season, van de Ven has started in seven of Tottenham’s 10 matches across all competitions, quickly cementing himself as a key figure in Ange Postecoglou’s lineup. One of his absences in the Premier League was due to a minor injury, which led to his cautious management in the early part of the season.
Ange Postecoglou’s preferred style of play relies heavily on quick, progressive defenders who are comfortable in possession and capable of covering large distances with pace. In this setup, van de Ven has arguably become Tottenham’s most important player at the back. His blistering speed has rescued Spurs from several precarious situations, enabling the team to recover in defense and transition quickly into attack. Van de Ven’s ability to accelerate and make decisive runs forward has turned him into a major offensive weapon as well. He has already recorded two assists this season, both of which came from powerful runs down the left side, followed by precise passes that led to goal-scoring opportunities.
During the last international break, van de Ven remained at Tottenham’s training base, Hotspur Way, recovering from an injury that had prevented him from joining the Netherlands squad. However, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has seen enough of van de Ven’s performances this season to recall him for the October fixtures, where the Netherlands will face Hungary and Germany. Speaking to the Dutch media ahead of these crucial matches, van de Ven reflected on his move to the Premier League and his ambitions for both club and country.
“Going from Wolfsburg to Tottenham is a big step for any footballer,” van de Ven said. “But I know my qualities. I wouldn’t have made this move if I didn’t believe I could handle the challenges.” His confidence in his own abilities has been evident on the pitch, where he has shown composure under pressure and a growing understanding of Postecoglou’s tactical demands.
When asked about his preferred role within the national team, van de Ven made it clear that playing at centre-back remains his favorite position. The Dutchman is eager to take advantage of the opportunity created by injuries to key defenders in the Netherlands squad. “Nathan Aké is now injured, and [Jurrien] Timber is also out. I hope to fill that spot now, yes,” he explained. This could be a significant moment for van de Ven, who has often been deployed as a **left-back** for the national team but now sees an opening to play in his favored position at the heart of the defense.
However, with injuries plaguing the Dutch squad, van de Ven may once again find himself playing at left-back. This is not without concern for Tottenham, especially given van de Ven’s past injury issues and the physically demanding nature of the position. As van de Ven explained, playing at left-back in the Dutch system requires a different set of responsibilities compared to his center-back duties at Spurs.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has also expressed caution over van de Ven’s use in such a role. In a recent Premier League match against Burnley, van de Ven was used at left-back for the final 30 minutes, a move that Postecoglou was hesitant to overextend. “I’ve been mindful of Micky,” the Spurs boss admitted after the game. “He’s had a couple of injuries, and I’ve got to be careful with him when it comes to the demands of playing left-back in our system. The physical demands are different at left-back, and I’ve got to think about the future.”
Postecoglou’s remarks underscore the delicate balance between pushing van de Ven to play at his highest level while also protecting him from the risk of further injury. With the Netherlands expected to lean heavily on him during the international break, Spurs fans will be watching closely, hoping that their star defender returns to London unscathed.
Meanwhile, Tottenham could also be significantly affected by international duty in another key area of the pitch, with their new striker Dominic Solanke receiving a call-up to the England senior squad for the first time in seven years. Solanke, who joined Tottenham this summer, has been in impressive form and has now earned the attention of Gareth Southgate. England will be facing Greece in the UEFA Nations League, but uncertainty surrounds the availability of first-choice striker Harry Kane, who is currently managing an injury and working on an “individualised programme.”
Kane’s potential absence opens the door for other strikers, and while Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins is likely to be the first-choice starter, Solanke could be set for valuable minutes off the bench. If he performs well, there’s a strong possibility that he could be named in the starting lineup for England’s subsequent match against Finland a few days later. Solanke’s return to the England squad, after such a long absence, marks a significant milestone in his career and provides him with an excellent opportunity to showcase his abilities on the international stage.
For Tottenham, the international break represents a crucial period, with key players like van de Ven and Solanke potentially playing prominent roles for their respective national teams. While their involvement reflects their excellent form, it also carries inherent risks, particularly with players like van de Ven, who have a history of injuries. Spurs will be hoping that their stars return fit and ready to continue their strong start to the Premier League campaign under Postecoglou’s guidance.