Glenn Hoddle outlines key weakness in Tottenham star Micky van de Ven’s defence
Tottenham Hotspur slumped to their fourth straight Premier League defeat against Chelsea on Thursday night, delivering another lacklustre display that lacked creativity and purpose. Yet, amid the gloom, there was a silver lining for both the fans and under-pressure manager Ange Postecoglou.
Micky van de Ven made his long-awaited return to the league starting XI, featuring for the first time since Spurs’ 4-3 defeat to Chelsea back in December. The Dutch international’s season has been marred by injuries, but his presence at the back offers a significant boost for Tottenham. With the campaign entering its final stretch, and crucial Europa League fixtures on the horizon, Van de Ven’s return could not have come at a better time for Postecoglou.
While it was encouraging to see Spurs No.37 back in the starting lineup, it did little to change the outcome on the night, as Tottenham slumped to yet another Premier League defeat—bringing their total to a staggering 16 losses this season. The pressure is now firmly mounting on Ange Postecoglou, whose position is under intense scrutiny. The Australian manager has reportedly been handed a clear ultimatum: deliver success in the Europa League or risk losing his job. With domestic hopes fading, Europe now represents both a lifeline and a final test for Big Ange.
Glenn Hoddle talks about Micky van de Ven’s defending
Tottenham were convincingly beaten by Chelsea on Thursday night, with the only goal of the game coming from a second-half header by Enzo Fernández. The build-up was simple yet effective, Cole Palmer delivered a well-placed cross from the left, and the Argentine midfielder rose between Spurs’ centre-backs to nod it home.
From a Tottenham perspective, it was a soft goal to concede, one that could and should have been prevented. Micky van de Ven, in particular, will feel he should have done more to challenge Fernández in the air, especially given the straightforward nature of the delivery.
Talking on Premier League Productions (as transcribed by TBR Football), Glenn Hoddle spoke about the flaw in Van de Ven’s game. The renowned pundit said,
“His problem is like any defender Tim, he’s attracted to the ball. I used to say to any defender when it’s acute to you and the ball is in front of you, once the cross is coming in, if you look at the ball for more than two seconds without looking over your shoulder and having a little glance. He’s looked at the ball, looked at the ball and looked at the ball, he doesn’t have a clue where the attacker is.”
Glenn Hoddle’s assessment on the Netherlands international’s defending was accurate. Micky van de Ven won both the aerial duels he contested on Thursday, but the defender’s positioning for the Chelsea goal was slightly askew. The Dutchman has just managed to win 53% of the aerial duels he has contested for this season. This shows that even though the Spurs No.37 is 6’4”, he has struggled a bit in the air.
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Tottenham star admits harsh truth as ‘rightfully disappointed’ fans make feelings clear
- Potential Postecoglou successor backed to impress at ‘massive club’; Tottenham keen
- Fabrizio Romano confirms ‘clause’ in Tottenham target’s contract; deal far from easy
However, despite the lapse, Micky van de Ven remains a vital component of Tottenham’s defensive setup and will be crucial in the games to come—especially if Ange Postecoglou hopes to save his job and guide Spurs deeper into the Europa League. With silverware still within reach, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Big Ange will be counting on his key players to step up, and equally, he’ll be hoping the fans can rally behind the team during this defining stretch of the season.