Micky van de Ven explains doubts over his career after old confidence blow
Micky van de Ven is now regarded as one of the brightest talents at Tottenham Hotspur, but his journey to success wasn’t without its challenges.
Like many footballers, he faced setbacks early in his career that made him question his future in the sport. Despite his undeniable potential, van de Ven had moments when he doubted whether he would make it in football, particularly after some major knockbacks during his development in the Netherlands.
In a recent interview with Voetbal Primeur, van de Ven opened up about how close he came to stepping away from football entirely.
Reflecting on his youth career, he admitted that confidence from the people around him played a crucial role in his development.
However, at one point, he didn’t feel that support from the coaching staff at FC Volendam. After playing for the Under-19s, van de Ven was passed over for promotion to Jong Volendam (the Under-21 team), which made him question his prospects at the club.
He explained how this period left him feeling uncertain about his future, as he didn’t feel he was being recognized for his talent, particularly his speed, which wasn’t viewed as a key asset at the time.
Van de Ven revealed that he considered taking a step back from his current situation to move forward later. He thought about dropping down a level in football to give himself a better chance of developing his skills and confidence.
However, despite the setbacks, he never considered pursuing a different career. Football remained his passion and ultimate goal, and eventually, his perseverance paid off.
His story took a positive turn when Wim Jonk arrived at Volendam as the new head coach. Jonk saw something in van de Ven that others had overlooked and gave him the opportunity to prove himself.
This turning point allowed van de Ven to shine, and his career began to take off. He excelled in the Dutch league, using his pace and defensive abilities to catch the attention of scouts from across Europe.
It wasn’t long before he earned a move to Wolfsburg in Germany, where he continued to develop and cement his reputation as a top defender, known for his speed and positioning.
Van de Ven’s success at Wolfsburg eventually led to his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023. Since joining Spurs, he has quickly become a key player in Ange Postecoglou’s defense.
His rapid pace, strong tackling, and intelligent reading of the game have made him one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League. Now, instead of looking back at his doubts, van de Ven is focused on building a successful career with Tottenham.
This story serves as a reminder of the importance of patience and perseverance in football. Not every talented player bursts onto the scene at a young age, and sometimes, it takes time for them to fully develop.
The football world has seen countless young players hyped as the next big thing, only for them to fade into obscurity without fulfilling their potential. Van de Ven’s journey highlights that great players aren’t made overnight. It takes time, resilience, and hard work to reach the top of the game, and van de Ven is proof of that.
As he continues to grow and succeed at Tottenham, van de Ven’s story stands as an example of what can happen when players are given the time and opportunity to develop at their own pace.
His rise from doubts and setbacks to becoming one of the Premier League’s most exciting defenders is a testament to his determination and talent.
Read Also: ‘Look at him’: Glenn Hoddle says Tottenham star needs to be bench after shocking display
Read Also: Totally not Mikey Moore: Spurs have a £100M dud who’s more like Yamal to be unleash
Read Also: Craig Burley backs Tottenham to axe out wasteful star, with surprise Epl name to take his place fast