Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is closing in on a new contract with the club, as he expressed confidence in the direction the north London side is taking under new management. The Dutch centre-back has been a key figure in Spurs' backline since his arrival, and his commitment comes at a pivotal moment for the club as it looks to move past a difficult period.
Speaking to BBC Sport in July, Van de Ven reflected on the transformation taking place behind the scenes at Tottenham. "It's really good that you can see the club has made some changes," he said. "You can see the club has a new ambition. It's something that's really important for players who have been here for a long time."
The comments come after a turbulent stretch for the club, which saw Tottenham finish 17th in the Premier League in consecutive seasons. The 2025-2026 campaign in particular proved to be a nerve-wracking affair, with the club's fight to preserve its top-flight status extending all the way to the final day of the season. That period also saw significant instability in the dugout, with three different managers taking charge over the course of nine months.
Van de Ven did not shy away from describing the toll that season took on the squad and the wider club. "Last season was a stressful season, unacceptable from our side, so to leave all of that behind and go into the new season fresh means a lot," he said. His comments suggest a sense of relief among players eager to put the disappointing campaign behind them and refocus on rebuilding momentum.
Central to that renewed sense of purpose is the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, whose managerial approach appears to be already generating optimism within the squad. Van de Ven was clear in outlining the contrast between the current setup and what came before. "It's going to be different compared to the manager we had last season," he said, pointing to a shift not only in results but in style of play.
The defender went on to describe the kind of football fans can expect moving forward. "It's also going to be more enjoyable for people to watch because we'll be playing offensive football," Van de Ven said. This shift toward a more expansive, attack-minded approach is seen as a deliberate effort to reinvigorate a fanbase and squad that endured a demoralizing campaign.
Van de Ven also touched on the psychological impact of the previous season, suggesting that the difficulties experienced by the group had affected morale throughout the club. "It is something we needed because everybody was a little bit down," he added, underlining the importance of a fresh start both tactically and emotionally.
With his new deal reportedly close to being finalized, Van de Ven's extension would represent a vote of confidence in Tottenham's revamped project under De Zerbi. Having established himself as one of the club's most reliable defenders, his continued presence is likely to be viewed as a stabilizing factor as the team attempts to rebuild after two seasons of underachievement.
As Tottenham look to turn the page on a chaotic chapter marked by managerial upheaval and inconsistent performances, the combination of long-term squad commitment and a clearer tactical identity under De Zerbi could prove crucial in restoring stability and ambition at the club.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.