Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven has dismissed reports that players have “switched off” amid a Premier League relegation battle as “the biggest nonsense.”
Van de Ven was suspended as Spurs earned their first point under Igor Tudor in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool, a result that leaves them just one point clear of 18th‑placed West Ham. Tottenham now face a daunting Champions League task, trailing Atletico Madrid 5-2 from the first leg of their last‑16 tie.
Speaking ahead of the Atletico second leg, Van de Ven challenged suggestions that he and his team‑mates have lost interest. “Of course I’ve seen things [written],” he said. “Reporters just say things sometimes and it’s like ‘how did you come up with this?’ Like, the players have switched off. It’s not true.
“They say players are going to leave either way. It’s just nonsense and it’s only a problem when people start believing it. It’s just the biggest nonsense. Sometimes we read things by ourselves and are like ‘what is this?’ The other day we read something about one guy who is going to leave and doesn’t care what happens. We are just reading this like ‘how did this come out?’”
Van de Ven added that such stories create extra problems because supporters start to believe the rumours. “All the people involved care so much about the situation we’re in. That’s the most important thing right now. Then if some reports come out saying that guys don’t care anymore, it’s just frustrating for our guys. For me it’s frustrating because people start thinking about me in a different way. I just want to stay fit and turn things around. I know the last games haven’t been my best. The most important thing is that I give 100 per cent to this club.”
Manager Igor Tudor welcomed the draw at Anfield as a confidence boost but is still searching for his first win in charge. “When you have one good performance, it gives confidence to everyone. It confirms the good will,” the former Juventus and Croatia defender said. “The players really care. At the moment it is so difficult. I believe one good moment happened last game. We have to be honest with what we can give on the pitch. I am happy for everyone and now we have to continue.”
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop noted that the Liverpool performance showed a spirit rarely seen in recent domestic matches, recalling the comeback draw at Manchester City earlier in February. Bishop observed that while Van de Ven’s defence of his team is understandable, actions on the pitch shape public perception.
The article highlights how disciplinary issues have fed narratives about attitude: Van de Ven and Cristian Romero have been sent off in recent matches, with Romero’s red against Manchester United bringing his Premier League total to four since joining Spurs in 2021 — the most of any player in that period. Such dismissals can be read two ways: as evidence of fight spilling over, or as petulance that creates availability problems. “Availability is the best ability,” the piece concludes, noting that while injuries are unavoidable, suspensions and avoidable absences prompt questions about how much certain players care.