Ex-Spurs Scout: Tottenham ‘must avoid’ rushing Micky van de Ven back from injury ‘too quickly’
Tottenham News is delighted to welcome aboard our brilliant new columnist Bryan King, the former goalkeeper who spent six years as a senior scout at Spurs and 28 years in total in first-team scouting roles. Bryan also spent eight years on Everton’s recruitment team and 11 years scouting at Aston Villa across two different spells.
Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King has labelled Micky van de Ven a “revelation,” and warned Tottenham to avoid rushing the defender back from injury “too quickly”.
Ange Postecoglou will get his first taste of FA Cup action as Tottenham host Burnley in the third round of the competition on Friday 5 January.
Spurs will look to do much better than they did in the Carabao Cup this season, having been eliminated at the first hurdle of that competition, losing a penalty shoot-out to Fulham after a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage on 29 August 2023.
Their chances of advancing to the fourth round have gone up, with the news that van de Ven could return from injury against Vincent Kompany’s men.
The Dutch centre-back has been out of action since sustaining a hamstring injury in the 4-1 home defeat against Chelsea on 6 November. However, reliable Tottenham insider Paul O Keefe, who was recently credited by Fabrizio Romano via the Italian journalist’s official X account for his call on Hugo Lloris’ now-confirmed move to LAFC (28 December), has described the 22-year-old’s return to the first team as “imminent,” via his official X account (3 January).
In light of the update, ex-Spurs scout King has told Tottenham News that van de Ven’s return to the first-team must be managed properly.
“That is a massive boost. Although Ben Davies has done well, I think van de Ven was a revelation when he first broke into the team. When you have got a central defender who has got pace, and Spurs have got two (van de Ven and Cristian Romero), it is very helpful.
“What Tottenham must avoid is bringing him back too quickly, but the club’s medical staff will know what the situation with him is and whether or not he is a quick healer, but it can only be good news to get these types of players back.
“It will be especially nice to see van de Ven back because when you saw that he had hurt his hamstring, that can sometimes be a long drawn out injury.
“This match could be a good test for him if he plays, so hopefully he does. If he comes through the Burnley game okay, then it will prove he is ready for Manchester United next week and the Premier League.”
In other Tottenham news, a youth ace who Jose Mourinho once raved about could find himself involved against Burnley.