Tottenham Hotspur’s manager has downplayed the severity of Micky van de Ven’s injury. The defender had to exit the game in the 46th minute, causing concern among fans and teammates.
Van de Ven suffered a hamstring strain while intercepting a shot from Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey. This happened shortly after halftime and just before Tottenham scored. Radu Dragusin, a recent addition, took his place.
Despite Dragusin’s solid debut, there’s worry about van de Ven’s recurring hamstring issues. The manager, however, believes it’s not serious, expressing disappointment given van de Ven’s excellent performance until his exit.
“I’m not sure, he (Micky van de Ven) doesn’t think it’s anything too significant. So disappointing for him because he was outstanding again up until that point.”
Is Micky irreplaceable?
Dragusin performed admirably with Cristian Romero, but van de Ven’s presence is crucial for Tottenham. His absence due to injury paralleled the team’s dip in form earlier in the season.
The incident occurred in a match against Chelsea in November, sidelining the 22-year-old for over two months. During his absence, Spurs experienced a slump, highlighting his importance upon return.
The recent win over Villa has narrowed the gap to Unai Emery’s side in the race for fourth place. With only two points behind and a game in hand, van de Ven’s role will be pivotal for Tottenham’s season ambitions.