Tottenham star Micky van de Ven has insisted he’s not concerned with his substitute role for the Netherlands or the prospect of coming up against Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
The defender has been speaking today as the Netherlands gear up to take in England in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
He headed into the tournament on the back of a super debut season with Tottenham, who he joined last summer in a big money move from Wolfsburg.
He quickly established himself as a key player under Ange Postecoglou, with his defensive prowess and athletic ability earning plenty of fans among the fanbase and the watching media.
The 23-year-old is yet to be fully trusted by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, though, who has so far only handed the Tottenham man one 90-minute appearance since his international debut last year.
It’s continued at Euro 2024 so far, with Van de Ven managing three minutes against Poland, 25 minutes against Austria, 21 minutes against Romania and 17 minutes against Türkiye.
There have been calls for that to change against England and for him to be utilised to stop Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who some would argue has been the Three Lions’ best player at the tournament so far.
Van de Ven, though, isn’t going to be pushing Koeman to make a choice, nor is he particularly concerned if he is deployed to stop the Arsenal star either.
“I think so,” he said when asked if he can be a permanent fixture in the team.
“If you come in often and you can bring something extra. Everyone wants to play, but if your role is a substitute and you come in, you have to be able to contribute.
“That is uncomfortable to say about yourself. But look at the data and you have the answer,” he added when asked who is quicker between him and Saka.
“(Contact) with Saka? That would be strange, he plays for Arsenal, and I play for Spurs. And there are no Spurs players in the England team, so I have no contact with that team. We are looking forward to a competition at a very high level.”
