Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has dismissed claims suggesting the squad has given up on their season as they slop into Premier League relegation battle.
Spurs are currently one point above the drop zone and without a win in eight matches, with reports claiming players have “switched off”.
However, Van de Ven while speaking ahead of a crucial Champions League round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid, the Dutchman passionately defended his teammates, insisting everyone at the club is fully committed to turning their dire situation around.
“Of course I’ve seen things. Reporters just say things sometimes and it’s like: ‘How did you come up with this?’ Like players have switched off. It’s not true. They say players are going to leave either way. It’s just nonsense and people start believing it.”
Micky van de Ven in action during the Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match against Atletico de Madrid. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Van de Ven highlighted the confusion such stories cause among the group. “Sometimes we just read things about ourselves and other players. We are just like: ‘What is this?’ We read something about one guy who said they were going to leave and doesn’t care about the situation they are in, and then someone reads this and it’s like: ‘How does this come out?'”
The Dutch defender then issued a heartfelt plea to supporters, assuring them that survival is the sole focus. He stressed: “People just make things up and it’s frustrating for us because it brings so much more trouble. The fans then start to believe this or start saying: ‘Oh the guys do not care anymore. What’s going to happen with the club?’ But, trust me, all of the people involved on the pitch, all of the staff, the players, everyone, they care so much about the situation we are in and we just want to turn things around. That’s the main focus for everyone. If some reports are saying the guys don’t care anymore, it’s just frustrating for our guys.”
Tottenham players will now need to show some fighting spirit when they face Atletico Madrid in the second-leg tie of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
Having lost the firstleg 5-2, Tudor’s men need to win by three goals just to force extra time against Diego Simeone’s disciplined side.
