Micky van de Ven has openly speculated on the twist of fate that could have seen him donning a Liverpool jersey if things had worked out differently with Arne Slot.
The current Reds manager’s attempts to acquire Van de Ven prior to his Premier League days included failed bids while Slot was at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, as the coveted defender opted for Wolfsburg in advance.
Reflecting on the missed connections, Van de Ven said: “Arne Slot wanted to sign me for AZ when he saw me play in the first season at Volendam. The club refused to sell me and I had to accept that they would not let me go.”
Further detailing the alternative route his career might have taken, he added: “When he was at Feyenoord he tried to sign me, too, but by then I had already signed for Wolfsburg in Germany.”
Considering the possibilities if Slot had secured him earlier, he mused: “Do I think I would be playing for Liverpool now if I would have joined Slot at Feyenoord? That would have been some kind of fate.”
Praise was also forthcoming for Slot’s impact at Liverpool, as Van de Ven concluded: “Slot is doing really well. Liverpool is now a fantastic team and he is showing again what a brilliant coach he is.”
He continued sharing his impression of Slot from their interactions, saying: “Every player who has worked under Slot, will tell you great things about him. In the few talks I had with him at the time, I got a great feeling about his managerial style, his coaching and his ideas in football. He really, really sees the game well.”
Van de Ven, the Dutch sensation who moved to Spurs for a hefty £42million in 2023, is adamant about ending Tottenham’s long-standing trophy drought of 17 years. However, to inch closer to that dream, Spurs have to overcome Liverpool at Anfield on the backfoot of a slender 1-0 advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final return leg.
The determined defender shared how compatriot and Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has taken on a role as his mentor: “I really would not mind playing next to Virgil in defence. He is such a fabulous defender and doing great at Liverpool.”
“I learn a lot from him. When we’ve played against Liverpool with Tottenham, Virgil still gives me tips after the game! ” “He says things like; ‘maybe you could have done this or that’ in certain situations. It shows he wants to help me improve my game.”
Tottenham’s aspirations are bolstered by their coach Ange Postecoglu’s ambitions, as Van de Ven echoed the manager’s words from an interview with Dutch publication Helden: “Ange Postecoglu told me about the history of Spurs and that they have never won a trophy.”
“He said ‘I am going to change that and I want you to be part of my plans.’” The centre-back expressed his affection for both the city and the club, vowing not to stop until they clinch silverware: “I love it in London and I love Spurs as a club. I won’t rest till we have won a trophy. The fans and the club deserve that.”
Dismissing the jinx associated with signing for Tottenham, Van de Ven defiantly stated: “I know people say, when you sign for Spurs you never win trophies. But it will happen – and it is up to us now to shut all those mouths.”
While the league title may elude them this season, Spurs are still contending on three other fronts, and Van de Ven reminded supporters: “We won’t win the Premier League this season, but we are still in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League.”
