From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

In the high-octane world of Premier League football, some players seem destined for the top from the moment they kick a ball.

For Tottenham Hotspur's commanding centre-back, Micky van de Ven, the journey was a different story - one defined by setbacks, unwavering belief, and a relentless desire to prove his doubters wrong.

Ahead of the London derby between West Ham and Spurs this weekend, Micky reflects on his incredible path to becoming a key figure at the club, a rollercoaster ride that started with a feeling of pure awe upon his arrival.

When Micky first stepped into Spurs' magnificent training facility, he was instantly blown away.

"Yeah, first time, when I arrived here, I was at the lodge, and I was like, this is unbelievable," he recalls.

“I thought that was the part where the team was staying also. But then I walked over, and it was unbelievable. You even have a golf course here."

His career, however, didn't begin with such grandeur.

From his earliest memories, it was always about football. "Always football. Straight away from the beginning. When I was a young kid, everything I did was with the ball. Everything since I could barely stand up by myself."

His family, a football-loving bunch, fueled his passion, but he was destined to be the first to reach the highest level.

The Power Of Perseverance

Micky's path was far from easy. At his first professional club, Volendam, he found himself constantly battling for validation.

"I think, like two or three years in a row, I was always an orange," he says, referring to the colour-coded system used to determine a player's future at the academy.

"When I was 14, 15, 16, this was the age where I was always in doubt."

At the age of 18, facing a critical moment to join the first team, his head coach expressed doubts about his "qualities and abilities."

The prospect of returning to an amateur team loomed large. "My main focus was always football, so I was like, what am I going to do now?”

It was his father's constant encouragement - "No, keep believing, keep believing" - that kept him going. Just two months later, a new gaffer, Wim Jonk, arrived.

Jonk saw something special and offered him a contract "straight away."

Within months, Micky had played for the Under-21s and secured a spot on the first team. "It's crazy," he admits.

A Baptism By Fire

His journey continued with a big step to the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg at the age of 20.

Moving to a new country and a new league during the Covid-19 pandemic was a tough, isolating experience. "I struggled because no one was there," he remembers.

The intensity of top-flight training was a shock, and for a season, he questioned if he had made the move too soon. He made only four appearances in his first year.

But with every setback, he persevered. A new manager, Niko Kovač, arrived and gave him his chance. Micky played 36 of the next 37 games. Then, "Tottenham came up."

The call from Spurs was a pleasant surprise and a shock, as he had planned to play "more seasons in Germany.

"But when a club of Tottenham's stature comes calling, "you can't really say no."

He felt an instant connection with the club and its vision for his development.

He felt the trust from the manager and staff, which was the most important thing for a young player seeking minutes.

This trust was immediately put to the test when the manager threw him into the starting lineup for the first Premier League game against Brentford after only two days of training.

He had "no time to think about it" and just had to adapt. "The team-mates and everyone at the club welcomed me with open arms. They were like, 'You're one of us now. You're one of the family.'"

Micky quickly learned about the intensity of the Premier League.

"The Premier League is the biggest league in the world."

"Everyone in the stadium just lives the game."

He recalls his first game against Brentford when he felt like he could barely walk, a testament to the league's physicality.

The Emotional Bond Of #37

Last season presented another significant challenge with a hamstring injury that kept him out for a long period.

"That was mentally so tough," he admits.

"We had such a bad season in the Premier League and you see the team struggle ... you're just on the side. You can't do anything and you just want to help."

Despite the disappointment, he found a way to end the season on a high note.

"I said to my dad and my best friends, 'There's one way to save my season. That's to win the Europa League, let's bring silverware to Tottenham.'"

And that's exactly what they did.

His trophy-winning moment was made even more special by the story behind his shirt number.

Number 37 was the favourite number of his best friend, who passed away when they were younger.

"I always just want to make him proud," Micky shares.

"It's a massive thing that I can win my first trophy in my career, with that shirt number."

Now, with a trophy in hand and a new season under a new manager, Micky is ready for the future.

"There is like a fresh start," he says. The club has a renewed sense of optimism and is determined to show everyone what they can do.

Catch Tottenham Hotspur in live action on Showmax Premier League as they take on West Ham on Saturday, 13 September 2025.