Thomas Frank shares his verdict on Micky van de Ven’s new Tottenham contract
The Tottenham Hotspur head coach has been discussing the future of Netherlands centre-back Micky van de Ven and his role at the north London club.
Thomas Frank has stressed that Spurs should make securing Van de Ven’s long-term future a priority, insisting the defender is content at the club despite speculation suggesting otherwise.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding campaign, with only Richarlison scoring more goals for Tottenham this season. Van de Ven has also earned a place within Frank’s leadership group, underlining his growing influence. Even so, reports have claimed the Dutchman is unsettled and that Spurs have placed a £100 million valuation on him.
With three years still left on his current deal, Frank believes a lucrative new contract should be near the top of Tottenham’s agenda.
“Micky is hugely important to us. He’s a Tottenham player now and going forward,” Frank said. “He’s absolutely someone we should be prioritising. For me, he’s a key player for this team and this club, and hopefully he will be for many years.
“He has the potential to develop even further, and I’m convinced he can help take us to where we want to be.”
Addressing suggestions that Van de Ven is unhappy, Frank dismissed the idea, explaining that the defender appears relaxed and positive around the squad.
“I saw him today and he looked very happy, smiling,” he added. “He was especially pleased after the win against Borussia Dortmund in the dressing room.
“He’s an excellent footballer and a great representative of this club. This could be his best season yet. He’s fit, strong, solid defensively, improving as a leader and contributing goals too. He’s vital for us now and in the future.”
While Van de Ven has largely avoided injury issues this season, Frank confirmed Spurs have suffered another setback, with 19-year-old midfielder Lucas Bergvall expected to be sidelined for several months due to an ankle injury. It marks the fifth long-term injury picked up across successive matches.
Summer arrival Mohammed Kudus remains out until April following a quad injury against Sunderland, while Rodrigo Bentancur is also sidelined with a hamstring problem suffered at Bournemouth. Richarlison was then ruled out for two months after picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup clash with Aston Villa, before Ben Davies sustained a serious ankle injury against West Ham. Bergvall’s setback followed in the match against Dortmund.
With Tottenham having dealt with 20 separate injuries this season, Frank joked that it sometimes feels as though the club is cursed.
“We always have to review what we can do to reduce injuries,” he said. “But many of them are contact-related. Bergvall’s injury was incredibly unlucky. The same with Joao and Kudus.
“At times you think, ‘What’s going on here?’ It feels like we’re cursed. But injuries are part of football. The next focus is making sure the recovery process is as efficient as possible and doing everything we can to get players back on the pitch quickly.”
