Tottenham make new Micky van de Ven announcement
Micky van de Ven’s return to fitness came at an opportune time for Tottenham.
The centre-back has struggled with injuries since his arrival at Spurs, but recovered in time to make a telling contribution in the latter stages of the Europa League.
His acrobatic goal-line clearance in the final ensured Spurs kept a clean sheet on their way to the 1-0 victory over Manchester United (21 May).
Ange Postecoglou was very cautious in managing the Dutch defender’s minutes to minimise the risk of reinjuring his hamstring, which Tottenham hope will have improved his long-term availability.
Van de Ven called up to the Netherlands squad
Tottenham’s season ended with their 4-1 defeat against Brighton on Sunday (25 May), with players set to depart on holiday before potentially joining up with their national sides.
As announced by Tottenham on their official website on Tuesday (27 May), Van de Ven was the latest to receive a call-up, with the Netherlands set to face Finland and Malta in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
After missing a chunk of first-team football, Tottenham will likely welcome the news as it could provide the 24-year-old with some much-needed match minutes.
He made his debut for the Oranje in 2023, going on to play a crucial role in the Netherlands’ run to the Euro 2024 semi-final.
The club will hope their prized defender returns from international duty fully fit for Tottenham’s pre-season, as they prepare for the 2025/26 campaign.
Van de Ven’s importance to Tottenham is huge
Cristian Romero rightfully took all the plaudits for his huge influence in bringing Tottenham their first European trophy since 1984, but he could not have done it without his partner in crime.
| Team | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| With van de Ven | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Without van de Ven | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Van de Ven’s recovery speed arguably makes him the most important cog in Postecoglou’s system, allowing Spurs to maintain a high line and press their opponents.
His height is another important asset, while he possesses a unique ability to carry the ball through opponents’ lines at a blistering pace.
He compliments his vice captain’s attributes perfectly, and Tottenham could be in for a very different Premier League campaign next season if he can steer clear of further injuries.