Van de Ven: “I’m really happy to be back” following an injury.
Micky van de Ven, who was back in the matchday squad for our FA Cup third round victory over Burnley on Friday night (5 January), says he is prepared to help strengthen our defensive lines.
For the first time since suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea at the beginning of November, the center-back was selected among the substitutes. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd gave him a thunderous reception as he warmed up on the touchline.
Ange Postecoglou said on Thursday that Micky was back to full training and made a suggestion that he would play against the Clarets, but he warned that he won’t be pushed back into action and would instead be an unutilized player.
Pedro Porro’s scream in the 78th minute of the match was the substitution that got us to the fourth round.
The 22-year-old, who joined from VfL Wolfsburg during the summer transfer window, had a fantastic debut in his first 12 games wearing a Spurs uniform. On October 7, 2023, he opened his account for the team with a pivotal goal that sealed the match in our close victory over Luton Town.
Watch: Micky defeats Luton to score his first goal for Spurs.
With Cristian Romero at the center of our defense, the Dutchman quickly developed a brilliant rapport. His early-season form earned him his first senior call-up for the Netherlands in September. A month later, he made his senior debut against France and has since earned two caps.
Micky’s return could come at opportune moment as fellow defender Ben Davies, who has filled in admirably as the left-sided center-back for the past few months, sustained an injury late in our cup match on Friday night, and ‘Cuti’ was also sidelined from Everton on December 23, 2023, for a month.
Ange’s team’s next away game is against Manchester United in the Premier League, so having him available will help allay concerns over selection in central defense before the team’s mid-season break the following week.
“I’m so glad to be back,” exclaimed our 37th member.
“Being on the bench and back with the team is always a nice feeling. I’m hoping to get some playing time there because there’s a huge game coming up next week.
“I believe I’m ready since I feel fit and no longer have any pain. It’s tiring to have to watch from the sidelines, and it’s been like 10 weeks since I left.
“Now is a great time for the players to return; it’s an
