Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has strongly denied reports that a teammate dismissed concerns over the club’s relegation fight, calling the claims outright nonsense.
Squad Doubts and Breaking Point
Players within the Spurs squad have expressed reservations about manager Igor Tudor’s tactical approaches. The recent 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 first leg marked a low point, highlighted by Antonin Kinsky’s early substitution after just 17 minutes. Despite the tensions, Tudor remains in charge.
Speculation emerged that one player assured teammates of his indifference to relegation, citing an impending summer departure. Van de Ven refuted this emphatically: “The only thing I can say is it’s not true. What I said—it’s the biggest nonsense. Everybody is just focused on what’s going ahead and what’s in front of us.”
Impact on Fans and Team Unity
The Dutch international voiced frustration over how such stories strain relations between players and supporters. “Sometimes we just read things by ourselves, by the players as well, and then we’re just like, what is this?” he said.
Van de Ven continued: “The other day when we read something about one guy that said to everyone that he’s probably going to leave and doesn’t care about the situation they’re in, and then someone reads this and we’re just like, how does this come out? People are just making things up and it’s just frustrating for us as well, because it brings so much more trouble as well, because the fans are starting to believe this.”
He emphasized collective commitment: “Trust me, all the people involved on the pitch, the staff, the players, everyone, they care so much about the situation we’re in right now. We just want to turn things around, and that’s the most important, that’s the main focus for everyone. If some reports just start saying that guys don’t care anymore, it’s just frustrating for our guys.”
Looking Ahead to Atletico Rematch
Van de Ven celebrated Richarlison’s late equalizer against West Ham with visible passion, screaming at the TV. He now aims to regain his influence on the field, starting with Wednesday’s Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid, where Spurs trail 5-2.
Acknowledging his recent form dip, the defender affirmed his dedication: “Obviously, the last games from my side hasn’t been the best and I know that as well. For me, it’s just most important that I keep showing to everyone that I always give 100 per cent to this club. I will always do as long as I play. For me, the most important is that we turn things around right now. If people say things, then people say things. Obviously people are going to leave things that are not true. There’s nothing I can do about that.”
