There has been a lot of injury concerns at N17 this season, and among them is the first-choice centre-defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, with both of them struggling to stay fit along the season, having a direct effect on how the Lilywhites defence has been faltering around the campaign. But as we come close to the final stint of the ongoing season, the former has been getting back to full fitness and getting himself ready to appear when needed- but Tottenham Hotspur are set to prioritise the long-term welfare of the Dutch defender, and it may have season-ending implications.

Tottenham have to prioritise long term Micky van de Ven welfare over short term fatalities

The former Wolfsburg defender has established himself as an integral part of the defence at N17 since he moved to North London in 2023, but he has been sidelined with regular hamstring problems, and sports scientist Dr. Rajpal Brar has spoken about how there is a necessity to ensure that there is a properly placed reintegration process for the pacey centre-back, insisting that the club should ensure that they find a balance of safeguarding the player’s future while addressing immediate needs at the back.

Let’s walk into the injury history of the 23-year-old; VDV’s recent injury has been his third hamstring-related problem in 18 months, and this means that he needs to build durability (possibly moving to the Premier League and the physical demands of the English top tier has taken its toll), but this means that the club has to ensure that there is a structural recovery in his hamstring rather than rushing him back for immediate needs.

Maybe the club will have to start cutting corners, starting with putting him in fewer physical U21 games to not only regain his sharpness but also for his hamstring to regain strength.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, Dr. Brar said:

“They’ll be dealing with him very methodically considering his injury and reinjury history with the hamstrings along with the pace he plays at.

“Based on the comments, they are bringing him along slowly and it will take an extended time period of bounce matches and consistent games before he is close to 100 per cent. I would expect that more so for next season than this season even though he’s expected to be back way before the season ends.“

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For now, it is time that the staff at Hotspur Way start prioritising the long-term aspect of Micky and start ensuring that he is ready to be at his physical (and athletic) best when the next season comes around—especially given how this season is already one to be written off if the Premier League is concerned.