Micky van de Ven has firmly defended his dedication to Tottenham, dismissing claims that players are indifferent about the club’s dire situation as absolute nonsense.
Currently, Spurs are caught in a Premier League relegation struggle, with their situation hitting a low point last Tuesday as they suffered a record sixth consecutive loss, falling 5-2 to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.
In response, Tottenham delivered an impressive performance in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Sunday, offering renewed hope. Van de Ven, who faced criticism for a red card earlier this month against Crystal Palace, pushed back against claims that some players have mentally “checked out” during this pivotal time.
“I can only say that it’s not true,” Van de Ven stated. “It would be odd for a player to be in the dressing room right now thinking, ‘I’m leaving anyway, or I don’t care about the situation because it won’t affect me.’ It’s simply nonsense.”
“Recently, we read that someone mentioned they were likely to leave and did not care about our current circumstances. When we saw this, we were all confused about how such comments could arise. It’s frustrating for us because it creates unnecessary issues, leading fans to start believing these narratives.”
“Everyone involved on the pitch—the staff, the players—truly cares about our situation. We all want to turn things around, and that’s our main focus right now.”
“Personally, I just want to stay fit and help turn this around. I recognize that my recent performances haven’t been my best, and I’m committed to improving. I’ll always give 100% to this club as long as I’m playing here.”
“What matters most is that we reverse our current trajectory.”
Van de Ven did not play in the match against Liverpool due to his suspension but has expressed a desire to make amends starting with Wednesday’s matchup against Atlético, followed by the crucial clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
“It was a split-second decision that I regret, and I was devastated when I got that red card. I apologized to my teammates at half-time,” Van de Ven explained.
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“I wasn’t able to be there for the match on Sunday, but I watched from home and saw an incredible mentality from the team. As I sat there on the sofa, I found myself hoping they would score because they deserved it so much. When Richarlison scored to make it 1-1, I couldn’t help but feel joy, cheering at the TV for both him and the team.”
“Tomorrow’s game is just a beautiful opportunity for us. We have nothing to lose and are determined to create something special. We are committed to turning our luck around, starting tomorrow and continuing with the upcoming Premier League matches.”