Micky van de Ven has launched a robust defence of his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur, vehemently dismissing reports that players are indifferent to the club’s precarious situation as “nonsense”.
Spurs are currently embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle and slipped to a club-record sixth consecutive loss when they were beaten 5-2 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie last week.
While a spirited 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday offered a glimmer of hope, Van de Ven, who himself faced criticism following a red card against Crystal Palace earlier this month, was quick to refute claims that some players have “checked out” of the survival fight.
“The only thing I can say is it’s not true,” Van de Ven stated ahead of Wednesday’s second leg against Atletico.
“It would be strange if a player was in the dressing room now and saying, ‘I’m going to leave either way, or I don’t focus about the situation because everything that’s going to happen, it doesn’t affect me’, so I think it’s just nonsense.”
The defender expressed frustration over the origin of such rumours, highlighting their detrimental impact on fan perception.
“The other day when we read something about one guy that said to everyone that he’s probably going to leave and doesn’t care about the situation they’re in, and then someone reads this and we’re just like, how does this come out? People are just making things up.
“It’s just frustrating for us as well because it brings so much more trouble as well, because the fans are starting to believe this.”
Van de Ven insisted that everyone involved with the club is deeply invested in turning their fortunes around.
“Trust me all the people involved on the pitch, the staff, the players, everyone, they care so much about the situation we’re in right now.
“We just want to turn things around and that’s the most important, that’s the main focus for everyone.”
Acknowledging his own recent form, he added: “I just want to stay fit and turn things around. Obviously, the last games from my side hasn’t been the best and I know that as well.
“It’s just most important that I keep showing to everyone that I always give 100 per cent to this club. I will always do as long as I play. For me, the most important is that we turn things around right now.”
