The star in question has been leading Tottenham in Cristian Romero’s absence.
Micky van de Ven has been the standout performer for Tottenham Hotspur in what has been an incredibly difficult domestic season. He is one who can hold his head high when the majority of his teammates have royally underperformed, with Spurs battling towards the relegation zone in the Premier League.
The Dutchman has been captaining the side in recent games in Cristian Romero’s absence. Romero was sent off for a ridiculously late challenge on Casemiro in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United last month, and as it was his second red card, he has been banned for four games. The midweek fixture against Crystal Palace will mark the Argentine’s final game, so we are expected to see Micky van de Ven lead the troops again.
However, it is fair to say Van de Ven’s performance levels have dipped a bit in recent weeks. The 24-year-old was a part of the back four that Fulham tore apart in the first half on Sunday. Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi scored in the first half, leaving Tottenham with a mountain to climb after the interval. Richarlison did score, but it was merely a consolation in the end.
Tony Cascarino slams Micky van de Ven’s leadership in a difficult situation at Tottenham
Since Romero began his suspension, Tottenham have conceded eight goals and lost every game. The 2022 World Cup winner was hugely criticised for his stupid red-card challenge, but former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has insisted that stand-in skipper Micky van de Ven has not led the team well in these games. He thinks the Dutchman has been “shrinking” when the team has needed him the most.
“Cristian Romero has taken the brunt of the criticism, but his suspension has exposed Micky van de Ven, who is just as culpable. Romero’s mistakes are loud and plain for everyone to see, but Van de Ven’s lack of responsibility has flown under the radar,” Tony Cascarino wrote in his column for The Times.
“Van de Ven has looked laboured in Spurs’ defence for too long. Against Arsenal, Bukayo Saka skipped past him too easily on multiple occasions, and watching him at Craven Cottage, where Spurs lost to Fulham on Sunday, I couldn’t believe I was watching a captain’s performance.”
Van de Ven must step up his game
Van de Ven has not been his usual self for some time now, struggling to impose himself in recent defeats to Arsenal and Fulham. The Netherlands international has been caught out of position several times, while his decision-making has been questionable as well. If there was a time when he had to prove his leadership credentials, it was now in the absence of Romero.
Perhaps the desire to leave Spurs at the end of the season has been a distracting factor for Van de Ven. Unfortunately for our fans, the centre-back sees his future away from N17, with Real Madrid keeping close tabs on his situation. Van de Ven is not willing to pen fresh terms and is understood to be ‘waiting’ for a call from Real Madrid, hinting to the Tottenham officials that he’s ready to take up a new adventure that promises him regular Champions League football and opportunities to compete for trophies.
However, for now, the Dutch star must step up his game and be counted when the club are in crisis. Even if he wants out, Van de Ven would not like to leave Tottenham with a relegation in his CV.