Tottenham handed biggest January boost amid push for new signings
As January draws to a close, Ange Postecoglou's mid-winter selection crisis is finally showing signs of easing – not in the form of new signings, but with Micky van de Ven's return to the squad for Thursday's Europa League finale against IF Elfsborg.
"Let’s see how much we can get out of him," Postecoglou said. "He's had a good week, 10 days training with the team and is in good condition, so he is fine."
Van de Ven's return is an enormous boost for Postecoglou ahead of a decisive period for the head coach, with Spurs facing the Carabao Cup semi-final decider against Liverpool next Thursday before an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Aston Villa three days later.
In the meantime, Spurs need a result against Swedish club Elfsborg to guarantee a top-eight finish in the Europa League initial phase, before travelling to Brentford on Sunday on the back of a run of one win in their last 11 league games.
Van de Ven has featured just once since pulling his hamstring against Manchester City at the end of October, returning to the line-up for the visit of Chelsea on December 8, only to suffer a fresh injury to the same muscle.
Cristian Romero, who is also working his way back to fitness, was also forced off in the same game, leaving Postecoglou without both starting centre-backs and relying largely on Radu Dragusin and midfielder Archie Gray to play every three days since.
"Last time [Van de Ven] probably played more than he should have him in that first game [against Chelsea] but again hindsight and the circumstances around that game without rewriting history were pretty challenging anyway, but he’s ticked every box, worked awfully hard and been given clearance by the medical team," said Postecoglou.
The Dutchman will relieve the pressure on Dragusin and Gray, freeing up the latter to play in midfield if necessary, and is key to the way Spurs play.
Van de Ven's remarkable recovery pace allows Postecoglou's back line to push higher up the pitch, while his ability to carry the ball out of defence - best evidenced by his incredible assists against Everton and Manchester United this season - is also a major part of Spurs' build-up.
What we’ve got to make sure is to just manage his minutes now to give him every chance to grow into it
Ange Postecoglou on Micky van de Ven
For Postecoglou, there is also the emotional impact of his return to the pitch, which the Australian believes will affect everyone connected to Spurs on Thursday.
"He’s enormous for us because a) he is a fantastic player, and b) with a lot of these guys who will come back, they are just champing at the bit to help so there is an energy there, a positivity there and for the guys who have been on the grind for a while, just having him training is a boost," said the head coach.
"Having him out there [on Thursday] I think even for our supporters it just gives you some energy and renewed energy, particularly for the core group of players who have got us through the last two and a half months, I think it gives us an enormous lift."
Postecoglou must decide whether to play van de Ven from the start against Elfsborg but the plan is to have him ready to play a significant part of the games against Brentford, Liverpool and Villa, so managing his minutes remains important.
"What we’ve got to make sure is to just manage his minutes now to give him every chance to grow into it," the head coach said. "Really happy to have him back and tomorrow night is a good game for him to get back into it, European football, so a good way to reintegrate him in and I’m sure he’ll do well."
