Micky van de Ven believes Xavi Simons might be the answer to the artistic flatness threatening to undermine Tottenham's begin to the season. With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison sustaining long-term accidents and Dominic Solanke present process a process on his troublesome ankle, Tottenham have began to look a bit predictable in ahead areas and type has stuttered over the previous month.
Thomas Frank acknowledged earlier than Tuesday's 2-2 Champions League draw with the Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt that the virtually full change to the entrance 4 – with Son Heung-min additionally departed – has created points. Simons arrived from RB Leipzig simply earlier than the tip of the switch window for greater than £50m. He's nonetheless adapting, however he arrange a aim in opposition to West Ham and performed a key position coming off the bench in Spurs' late comeback in Norway.
“He's a very good participant,” stated Van de Ven, who headed Spurs' first aim. “He can create plenty of particular issues. I feel you noticed he got here on and did very well. You possibly can see the creativity he has.”
Though Van de Ven, like Simons, has performed within the Netherlands and Germany, they've by no means performed in opposition to one another, however the defender does know him from the Netherlands nationwide aspect and clearly feels a duty to his compatriot.
“I communicate rather a lot with him,” Van de Ven stated, “however what additionally helps him rather a lot is he speaks plenty of languages so he can get on with plenty of different gamers as nicely. I attempt to assist him on and off the pitch with each small element he asks for. I'm there for him to assist him as a lot as doable.”
Tottenham's early-season momentum has barely stalled in latest weeks, and so they have conceded the opening aim in three of their final 4 video games – the exception was Doncaster within the Carabao Cup. Frank was not overly involved, mentioning the circumstances in every of these matches – in opposition to Brighton, Wolves and Bodø/Glimt – have been very totally different. Tuesday was the one one of many three wherein Spurs actually appeared second-best.
Van de Ven, like his supervisor, most popular to concentrate on the resilience Tottenham have proven to battle again and draw on all three events. “From our aspect, it was a very troublesome recreation,” he stated. “We have been 2-0 down and it exhibits our mentality to return again to 2-2 and get some extent. Immediately was not our greatest efficiency, in fact. We struggled a bit at present.”
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With Cristian Romero absent, Van de Ven captained Spurs for the primary time and he appears sure to be a part of a management group that Frank will title on Thursday.
“It was a proud second to steer the group out in a Champions League recreation,” he stated. “To be trustworthy I went into the sport the identical as I at all times do. It's not like there may be some additional strain on you. Nevertheless it's a second you dream of whenever you're a child.”
