The Tottenham center-back has addressed the media ahead of the final-day Everton clash.
Micky van de Ven has delivered a passionate and honest pre-match assessment ahead of Sunday’s final day clash against Everton, insisting Tottenham must use the positive momentum built under Roberto De Zerbi to end a season of extraordinary turmoil with the result that draws a line under everything that has gone before.
The Dutch defender was characteristically direct when addressing the Chelsea defeat, refusing to allow it to derail the confidence that has been gradually building across the final weeks of the campaign. He said (h/t Chris Cowlin on X):
“I wouldn’t say Chelsea was a step back. That was the first loss in five games. There were so many things that could have changed the situation. If you flip the penalty moment, we could get a draw. In the last 20 minutes, we played good offensive football. There’s also of course a lot of things that we can learn from that game but all the positives we can take into Everton.”
The broader reflection on Tottenham’s season was equally measured and honest. Van de Ven, Tottenham’s most-valuable player, acknowledged that the club’s current predicament is self-inflicted, but placed that admission firmly in the context of what has changed since De Zerbi’s arrival.
“I think lately we’ve shown our quality. We’ve shown how we can play and obviously for a club like Tottenham, it shouldn’t be possible that we’re in the situation we’re in right now. We brought ourselves into this situation, but if you see how we have played lately and since Roberto came in, the positiveness of how we play now and the more offensive football we play, I think we just need to stay up.”
His message for Sunday was simple, direct, and entirely focused on delivery rather than reflection. Three points, end the uncertainty, and leave everything that has happened this season behind. It is the language of a player who has been through an extraordinary ordeal and wants it finished in the most definitive way possible.
Van de Ven does not know the reason behind Tottenham’s terrible home form
The one question Van de Ven admitted he genuinely cannot answer is the mystery of Tottenham’s home form. “The home form hasn’t been acceptable, but there’s not something going on when we play a home game. I’ve seriously no clue.” Two home wins all season, ten defeats, and no convincing explanation for why the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has felt so uncomfortable for so long. Sunday offers the chance to change that record in the most important game of the campaign.
Micky van de Ven, talking to Sky Sports, ahead of the Tottenham v Everton game…
"I wouldn't say Chelsea was a step back. That was the first loss in five games. There were so many things that could've changed the situation. If you flip the penalty moment, we could get a draw.… pic.twitter.com/jDcEDFwMBa
— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) May 22, 2026
His appeal to the supporters was the most powerful note on which to end. The Dutchman concluded:
“We’re going to need the fans for that and we know they’re going to stand behind us.”
After everything this season has thrown at both players and supporters, Sunday offers a shared moment of relief that the entire club desperately needs.