Micky van de Ven has hit back at suggestions that he and his Tottenham teammates do not care about the club's plight, insisting such claims are 'just nonsense'. The defender has endured a difficult spell, including a red card against Crystal Palace and a poor performance against Atlético Madrid, leading to criticism from some fans.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League return leg against Atlético, Van de Ven addressed rumours that players are already planning summer exits. 'It would be strange if a player was in the dressing room now and saying: I'm going to leave either way,' he said. 'People are just making things up and it's frustrating for us because it brings so much more trouble.'
The Dutchman acknowledged his own recent form has dipped but stressed his commitment to the club. 'The last games from my side haven't been the best... it's just most important that I keep showing to everyone that I always give 100% to this club,' he added. 'If people say things, then people say things. There's nothing I can do about that.'
Van de Ven revealed he apologised to teammates after his red card against Palace and praised the team's mentality in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, which he watched from home due to suspension. 'I saw some unbelievable mentality from the team,' he said. 'You see the guys fighting every second of the game.'
Interim manager Igor Tudor will welcome back Cristian Romero for the Atlético match but João Palhinha remains sidelined with concussion. Conor Gallagher is a major doubt due to illness, while Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall return from injury.
