The injury crisis at Tottenham Hotspur is finally starting to ease, bringing some relief to head coach Ange Postecoglou and the club’s supporters. While key players have returned to action, Spurs are still missing crucial squad members, including Micky van de Ven. The Dutch centre-back has been absent for much of the season, and fans are eager to see him back on the pitch.
Van de Ven has been struggling with a hamstring injury since late October. The 23-year-old defender attempted a return against Chelsea in December, playing 79 minutes, but was soon sidelined again. He made another brief comeback in the UEFA Europa League match against Elfsborg in January, playing just 45 minutes before once again disappearing from the squad. While initial reports suggested hamstring troubles, there is now speculation that he may also be dealing with a thigh problem.
Since his initial injury, Van de Ven has missed 24 matches across four competitions. His absence has significantly impacted Tottenham’s defensive stability, as he was a key part of Postecoglou’s setup earlier in the season. Without him, Spurs have managed to win only nine of those matches, highlighting his importance to the squad.
Ange Postecoglou has addressed concerns over Van de Ven’s recovery and the long period of absence. After his brief return against Elfsborg, the manager clarified that the defender had not suffered a setback but rather that the club was taking a cautious approach to ensure a full recovery.
“With Micky, we made a decision, and I was certainly the catalyst of that, to just have a look at exactly beyond the injury how we can get him back in a good spot,” Postecoglou stated.
“He is doing some different things and working with some different people. It’s not as much about the injury as about the mechanics of him because we want him back, and we want him back in a real good space. He is training and feels really good. We are still confident his return is imminent, but we want to make sure we get it right.”
Postecoglou also emphasized the long-term perspective, stating, “He is still a very young man in terms of footballing experience and his career. What you want is Micky to play 10 years at the best possible level. This gives us the opportunity to address what we can while in the middle of the season to get him to the best possible level he can get to.”
During his pre-match press conference ahead of Tottenham’s victory over Manchester United, Postecoglou provided a clearer timeline for Van de Ven’s return.
“Micky, alongside Cristian Romero and Richarlison, are about two or three weeks away,” he revealed.
Encouragingly, Van de Ven has returned to full first-team training, signaling that he is close to a return. With no fixture scheduled for March 1 due to Spurs’ FA Cup elimination, the club may target the Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday, March 9, for his comeback.
However, Tottenham may opt to be extra cautious, considering the upcoming international break. If they choose to delay his return, Van de Ven could be rested until after the break to avoid further risk. That scenario, however, could lead to a Netherlands call-up, which might not be ideal for Spurs if they want to carefully manage his recovery.
Van de Ven’s return will be a significant boost for Tottenham as they push for a strong finish to the season. His pace, composure, and defensive awareness have been sorely missed, and Spurs fans will be eagerly awaiting his full recovery. With Postecoglou prioritizing the long-term fitness of his players, Tottenham supporters can be optimistic that when Van de Ven returns, he will be fully ready to contribute to the team’s success.
