Tottenham have had enough injury noise already, so this was the last thing Roberto De Zerbi needed. Micky van de Ven went off late in the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Serbia after his left hand was accidentally stood on by Luka Jovic. It looked awkward, it looked painful, and for Spurs it looked potentially expensive.
For now, the good news is straightforward. The early indication is that this is not a major issue. Van de Ven had two fingers strapped, carried on, then eventually came off as the Netherlands finished with 10 men after using all their substitutions. That sequence naturally raised concern, especially with Tottenham heading into a Premier League trip to Manchester United still searching for a first league win of the season.
Van de Ven concern eased
The key update came after the match, when Netherlands boss Xavi said: “He’s ok, he felt dizzy because he suffered with his finger. It’s not a big injury.” That matters. Spurs do not need drama in the back line right now, and they certainly do not need to lose their captain days before a match of this importance.
Van de Ven was due to return to north London anyway, with the Netherlands having completed their Nations League schedule for this international break. Tottenham’s medical staff will assess him again, but the tone around the situation is calm rather than alarmist.
Tottenham injury list still growing
That does not mean De Zerbi has a clean bill of health. Pedro Porro remains out with the hamstring problem that forced him to pull out of the Spain squad. Jan Paul van Hecke also left the Dutch camp earlier in the week with a foot issue suffered against Serbia. If Van de Ven had joined them on the sidelines, Tottenham would have been staring at a genuine defensive shortage.
Elsewhere, Mykhailo Mudryk is still missing with an ankle injury. Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert continue their recovery from anterior cruciate ligament injuries suffered last season. None of that is minor, and none of it helps a side already at the wrong end of the table.
Manchester United test comes into focus
There is at least one more positive note. Dejan Kulusevski, out since May 2025 with a serious kneecap injury, has returned to first-team training as he works towards a comeback. He is not the immediate answer, but his progress matters.
For Tottenham, the headline is simple. Van de Ven appears to have avoided serious damage. Given the current state of the squad, that qualifies as a result.
