Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Micky van de Ven will miss the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield on Thursday night.
The Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach stated that "it's about being conservative with them [van de Ven and Cristian Romero]," ahead of what is most definitely his biggest game since he was appointed in June 2023.
"Micky got through the 45 minutes but he feels he's not ready for the step up to the Premier League yet. Obviously a big shame to lose Radu."
When asked whether the Dutchman was feeling discomfort or it was a fitness issue, the Australian had this to say.
"It’s a bit of everything. He got through the game no problem but had a look at stats, Premier League is a whole different beast and after losing Radu, I thought what we had ahead of us.
"Don’t get me wrong we have some big games ahead but also afforded oursleves a couple of clear weeks. Hopefully we’re in final of Carabao Cup, hopefully we’re still in FA Cup and I don’t see sense of us risking us. Having Kevin in is a massive bonus and he hasn’t reinjured but he feels he needs to get more into him. Same with Romero.
"Having Kevin [Danso] in is a massive bonus and he hasn’t reinjured but he feels he needs to get more into him. Same with Romero."
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Centre back options
With van de Ven and Romero now ruled out of the crunch tie on Merseyside, Postecoglou has a decision to make at the heart of his defence.
18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray has started 17 out of the last 18 games in the centre or on the left of the back four, although the majority of the former Leeds United man's appearances have been made alongside Radu Dragusin or Ben Davies at centre-back.
Dragusin ruled out with ACL injury
The Romanian, who started the first leg last month, has now been ruled out with a serious ACL injury, which led to Davies starting in central defence for the 2-0 win at Brentford on Sunday. That same day, Spurs added Austrian defender Kevin Danso to their ranks, with Postecolgou neither confirming nor denying that he could make his debut at Anfield.
"We'll see. There is another big game three days later. Whether he starts or comes on, we'll see."
Archie Gray could do with some respite having featured in every single game, and played ninety minutes in most, over the busiest two months of the footballing season, and with the game being such a huge occasion his boss may feel as though this could be the perfect opportunity to give him a rest.
However, that would be incredibly harsh considering Gray has started in every League Cup game so far and was brilliant as The Lilywhites kept a clean sheet against a strong Liverpool side in the first leg. Additionally, he may not want to throw new signing Danso straight into the deep end, with a raucous atmosphere at one of the most difficult places to go in the country awaiting Tottenham.
It's extremely unlikely that Davies won't be handed a start in the heart of the defence, but the question is who will partner him?
Spurs' Head Coach has been known to throw players straight into action. Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie and Pape Sarr were all handed Premier League debuts on the opening day of the 2023/24 campaign - van de Ven had only signed for the club on the Tuesday before the opening game took place on the Sunday.
That could see Kevin Danso make his Tottenham debut from the off on Thursday night with Archie Gray dropping down to the bench, or even starting at right back in place of Pedro Porro, who has underperformed as of late.
Our predicted defensive pairing
With all factors taken into consideration, we believe the Australian will go for two natural centre-backs to start in front of Antonin Kinsky or the returning Guglielmo Vicario, who is reportedly available for selection, meaning Danso will make his debut alongside the ever-reliable Welshman.
