Micky van de Ven
TOT
Center Back
Back Line Anchor
Apr 19, 2001 (25)
Left
6'4"
179 lb
On bench against United
Van de Ven (wrist) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Manchester United.
Analysis: Van de Ven has recovered sufficiently from the wrist injury he sustained with the Netherlands to return to the matchday squad, although he is not starting against Manchester United. Marco Senesi gets the nod in his place.
Cleared to face Man United
Van de Ven (wrist) is available for Saturday's Premier League clash against Manchester United after recovering from the injury sustained during international duty with the Netherlands, according to coach Roberto De Zerbi. "They are available to play. Micky played four games, around 90 minutes each."
Analysis: Van de Ven has been cleared to face Manchester United after overcoming the wrist injury he sustained during the Netherlands' win over Serbia. The defender played approximately 90 minutes in each of his four international appearances, suggesting his fitness is not a concern heading into Saturday's match. As Tottenham's captain and a regular starter alongside Jan Paul van Hecke in central defense, van de Ven is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup, providing manager Roberto De Zerbi with an important defensive boost.
Could face Man United
van de Ven (wrist) has not been ruled out for Saturday's clash against Manchester United after picking up the injury during the Netherlands' 2-1 win over Serbia, according to SunSport.
Analysis: van de Ven appears to have avoided a significant injury despite being forced off late against Serbia after Luka Jovic landed on his wrist. The center-back will continue to be monitored ahead of Saturday's match, but there is optimism he will be available to start at Old Trafford. van de Ven is Tottenham's captain and forms manager Roberto De Zerbi's preferred center-back partnership with Jan Paul van Hecke, making his potential availability an important boost for the defense.
Hand injury not serious
van de Ven suffered a hand injury that forced him off in the 90th minute of Sunday's Nations League match against Serbia, but it is not serious, according to Netherlands coach Xavi, per Chris Cowlin of The Spurs Chat Podcast. "He's ok, he felt dizzy because he suffered with his finger. It's not a big injury."
Analysis: van de Ven started and played most of the match before coming out of a challenge in which a Serbian player stepped on his hand. He returns to Tottenham for further checks, and as long as no broken bones are found, he should be an option for Saturday's match against Manchester United.
Finishes match sidelined
Van de Ven was forced off the field in the 90th minute of Sunday's Nations League Group Stage match against Serbia due to a hand injury, according to Voetbal International.
Analysis: Van de Ven would start and play most of the match for the Netherlands on Sunday before an injury forced him to the sidelines. He would come out of a challenge struggling to continue, having had his hand stepped on with the full weight of a Serbian player. He will now return to Tottenham to likely receive further testing, hoping to avoid anything major. As long as no broken bones are reported, it is likely he could be an option for their next match against Manchester United on Saturday.
Back in starting role
Van de Ven has started the last two league matches, producing two shots, four tackles won and 12 clearances.
Analysis: After missing the opening match of the season, van de Ven moved into the starting XI over Marcos Senesi. It doesn't seem like his numbers will be much different from prior seasons with the hope being for more clean sheets after he managed just eight in 35 starts last season. Under Robert De Zerbi, that could be a boost for numbers, while he can only hope to come near last season's four goals scored.
Substitute appearance Wednesday
Van de Ven played 26 minutes in the midweek cup match against Charlton.
Analysis: Van de Ven is back in contention following his recovery from an undisclosed injury that left him out of the league opener versus Brentford. During his short outing in the EFL Cup, he racked up two ball recoveries and one clearance while winning half of his four individual duels. He should now serve as a primary option on the left side of a center-back pairing alongside Jan Paul van Hecke, giving Tottenham much-needed defensive strength and depth, and pushing Marcos Senesi and Ben Davies to less active roles.
Selected for bench
Van de Ven (undisclosed) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Charlton.
Analysis: Van de Ven was not with the team for their season opener but has returned for Carabao Cup play, with the defender amongst the substitutes. This is a major addition back to the team after the opening day loss, a starting defender who should remain in that role. That said, he will hopefully get some time at the end of the match Wednesday, looking to then start their next Premier League contest.
Bench option for cup
Van de Ven will be named among the substitutes for Wednesday's Carabao Cup match against Charlton Athletic, according to head coach Roberto De Zerbi, per footbal london.
Analysis: Van de Ven went through the entire preseason without playing a minute, leaving him well short of match sharpness and sidelined for the league opener. A bench spot for Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Charlton Athletic gives head coach Roberto De Zerbi the chance to hand him some minutes off the bench and start building that fitness back up, though a step into the league lineup right after still looks unlikely given the length of the layoff. New signing Marcos Senesi stands in his way at centre-back, and Van de Ven will need to sharpen up quickly to force his way back into the starting XI once fully up to speed.
Misses season opener
Van de Ven (undisclosed) has been left out of Tottenham's squad for Saturday's season opener against Brentford, according to coach Roberto De Zerbi. "Micky is not on the list tomorrow, like Pedro Porro."
Analysis: Van de Ven is out for the opener after going the entire preseason without playing a single minute, a run of absence that leaves him well short of match sharpness heading into the new campaign. His unavailability is a real blow given how central he was to Tottenham's defense last season, when he made 45 appearances in all competitions, including 35 in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and captaining the side in the final six matches. Marcos Senesi is expected to start alongside Jan Paul van Hecke in central defense in his continued absence.
Finishes preseason without minutes
van de Ven is not in Tottenham's squad to face Hoffenheim, ending preseason without a minute played, the club announced.
Analysis: van de Ven signed a new contract with Tottenham this summer after making 45 appearances in all competitions last season, including 35 in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and captaining the side in the final six matches of the campaign. He also featured for the Netherlands at this summer's World Cup, and his continued absence from preseason matches leaves questions about his readiness for the opener. Marcos Senesi is expected to start alongside Jan Paul van Hecke in central defense for the season opener if Van de Ven remains unavailable.
Signs new contract with Spurs
van de Ven has signed a new contract with Tottenham, according to the club. Sporting director Johan Lange said "He is now without doubt one of the outstanding defenders in European football."
Analysis: van de Ven made 45 appearances in all competitions last season, including 35 in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and taking his overall Tottenham tally to 96 appearances. He also captained the side in the final six matches of the campaign and famously made a goal line clearance in the 2025 Europa League final win over Manchester United. The 24 year old Dutch defender featured for the Netherlands at this summer's World Cup, and his new deal reflects the club's belief in building around him for years to come.
Records two shots
Van de Ven recorded two shots (one on goal) in Monday's 1-1 (4-3) penalty shootout loss versus Morocco.
Analysis: Van de Ven would be given a role on the left flank of the midfield Monday, as the Dutch would go with a 3-4-3 as they tried to deal with the speed and creativity of Achraf Hakimi on that side of the pitch. This would lead him to a tackle, two interceptions and two shots, although he only completed seven passes, a far drop from the 82 combined he saw in his first two appearances. He ends the tournament, starting in three of their four games while notching two interceptions, three tackles and seven clearances.
Strong defensive display
van de Ven had one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 5-1 victory over Sweden.
Analysis: van de Ven delivered a composed and energetic display in Saturday's 5-1 win over Sweden, winning one of his two tackles, making one clearance and creating one chance as the left back in coach Ronald Koeman's back four, also completing 41 passes and contributing to the attacking transitions that stretched Sweden's defensive shape throughout. The Tottenham Hotspur defender was tested by Sweden's counter-attacks, particularly when Alexander Isak was released in behind, but recovered his position effectively on multiple occasions and showed the ball-carrying ability from deep that gives the Netherlands a unique offensive dimension from defensive positions. Now heading into the knockout stage unbeaten across two group games, van de Ven will be one of the first names on Koeman's teamsheet, with his combination of pace, reading of the game and progressive carrying making him one of the most dynamic left back remaining in the tournament.
Active at left-back
van de Ven registered one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Japan. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 91st minute.
Analysis: van de Ven played the full 90 minutes in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Japan, operating at left-back in a back four and registering one shot on target from a first-half surge forward, along with one cross, while also picking up a yellow card for a tactical foul on Junya Ito in the second half. The Tottenham Hotspur defender was physically dominant for much of the match but was occasionally tested by Ito's pace in behind, contributing to the defensive pressure that ultimately cost the Netherlands late when Daichi Kamada's deflected header found the top corner in the 89th minute. His ability to carry the ball out from the back and cover ground with elite speed gives the Netherlands a unique defensive weapon, and managing his yellow-card situation will be an important consideration for coach Ronald Koeman heading into the next group-stage fixture.
Set for backline role
van de Ven has been named in Ronald Koeman's squad for the 2026 World Cup and is expected to start at center-back, though his ability to operate at left-back also gives the Netherlands valuable tactical flexibility in the defensive unit.
Analysis: van de Ven delivered another impressive campaign with Tottenham despite the club's difficult season, which ended in survival on the final day of the Premier League campaign. The Dutch defender contributed six goals and one assist while posting 53 tackles, 30 interceptions and 159 clearances across 44 appearances in all competitions, underlining his consistency and reliability at the back despite the turbulence around him. His exceptional pace is arguably his most distinctive attribute, allowing him to recover situations that would be beyond most defenders and to press aggressively from the back without leaving dangerous space behind him. At international level, van de Ven forms a near-perfect partnership with Virgil van Dijk, with the duo complementing each other in a way that gives the Netherlands one of the most formidable centre-back pairings at the entire tournament, combining the latter's experience, aerial dominance and leadership with the former's explosive athleticism, energy and ball-carrying ability to turn the backline into a genuine attacking springboard. His speed in particular makes him one of the most difficult defenders to bypass in a one-on-one situation, and his composure in possession fits perfectly into manager Ronald Koeman's style of playing out from the back.
Keeps clean sheet Saturday
van de Ven registered two tackles (two won) and three clearances in Saturday's 1-0 victory versus Wolverhampton.
Analysis: van de Ven kept his first clean sheet since Jan. 1 Saturday, helping Spurs earn their first Premier League win of 2026. He made three clearances and won two tackles on the defensive end as Spurs looked surprisingly calm at the back. He will need to keep up this level of defending over the final four matches of the season with Spurs still two points behind West Ham in the relegation battle.
Returns from ban
Van de Ven is no longer banned and is an option again.
Analysis: Van de Ven is back from his ban and will not be suspended any longer, set to play against Nottingham Forest in his next outing. The defender should almost immediately return to the defense as he is one of their top players and one of the few who is still fit, earning six clean sheets in 27 appearances (27 starts) this season.
Sent off versus Palace
Van de Ven received a straight red card after 38 minutes of Thursday's meeting with Crystal Palace.
Analysis: Van de Ven committed a penalty kick which also resulted in his dismissal in Thursday's game. He'll consequently be banned for at least three league games, leaving a void in the Spurs' back three. While that will be a major blow to the squad, Cristian Romero will be back from his respective suspension, and Kevin Danso could see increased playing time as well.
Available despite finger issue
Van de Ven dealt with a minor finger issue but is available for Sunday's clash against Fulham, coach Igor Tudor said in the press conference. "Small problem for Micky, with his small finger, but he's OK."
Analysis: Van de Ven dealt with a minor finger issue but will be available for Sunday's clash against Fulham. The center-back is an undisputed starter in central defense, having recorded 40 tackles, 27 interceptions and 129 clearances in 32 appearances across all competitions this season, and his presence is a major boost for his side.
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