Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has played down talks of an exit for Micky Van de Ven, insisting the defender is happy at the club.
The Dutch international has been linked with an exit from the club this month amid interest from league rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.
The 24-year-old joined Spurs from Wolfsburg in August 2023 and has become an integral member of the squad, playing a key role in their Europa League triumph last season.
His impressive performances have caught the eyes of top English clubs, while some other clubs abroad have been reported to be keeping tabs on him
“I just saw Micky today, he seems very happy, smiling”, Frank said in his prematch press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash at Burnley.
“He was very happy after the game that we won when he was in the changing room after the game
I think Micky is an excellent player, I think he’s a fantastic ambassador for this club. I think he has potentially his best season so far he’s had. He’s fit, he’s strong, good defensively, he’s growing as a leader, scoring goals as well.”
Van de Ven has played every minute of all but one of Tottenham’s league matches this season, highlighting his consistency and availability to the squad.
He missed last Tuesday’s Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund due to suspension, a match that eased the pressure on the club’s manager.
Frank had come under intense scrutiny after the club’s poor run and must now win tomorrow’s clash to buy himself more time at Spurs.
“He’s a very important player for us this season and for the future”, the former Brentford boss continued.
“I would say he’s very important for us, so Micky is a Tottenham player now and for the future.”
Tottenham head to Turf Moor on Saturday to face relegation-threatened Burnley, hoping for a win to end their poor run of form in the league.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
