Tottenham Hotspur’s survival story this season had many unlikely heroes, but none more surprising than the transformation of Micky van de Ven under Roberto De Zerbi.
When the Italian tactician arrived at Spurs, the club was staring down the barrel of relegation. His impact was immediate and widespread — reviving struggling players like Conor Gallagher and steadying a ship that had been taking on water rapidly. Yet among all those who benefited from the managerial change, van de Ven’s turnaround stood out the most.
Prior to De Zerbi’s arrival, the Dutch centre-back had become a shadow of himself — disengaged, error-prone, and reportedly considering his future away from North London. Reckless challenges and costly mistakes had defined his performances, and a departure seemed increasingly likely.
Everything changed once De Zerbi took the reins. Van de Ven rediscovered his best form, emerging as one of Spurs’ most reliable defenders — a development that proved even more vital when club captain Cristian Romero was ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury.
Despite persistent links to Barcelona and Real Madrid, Van de Ven has since made clear his commitment to Tottenham. Speaking during international duty with the Netherlands, he opened up about the personal impact De Zerbi had on his mental state.
“At one point, I wouldn’t even go out,” the former Wolfsburg defender revealed. “I thought, do I even deserve to have fun? Maybe it sounds extreme, but you want to turn things around at any cost. De Zerbi told me straight: ‘I’m going to need you badly right now, and I’m going to rely on you a lot.’ I had to become more of a leader, even though I’m still young. When we secured safety, it felt like I was a hundred kilos lighter. All the stress disappeared instantly.”
The words offer a rare and honest glimpse into the psychological battles that unfold behind the scenes in elite football — and a powerful reminder of how much a manager’s belief can mean to a struggling player.
De Zerbi’s fiery reputation had initially given some Spurs supporters cause for concern, but results have long since quieted those doubts. Saving Tottenham from what would have been a historic relegation was achievement enough. Getting the very best out of a talented but mentally fragile van de Ven — and turning him into a leader — may well prove to be his greatest contribution yet.
