Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has lauded the club's substantial £237 million summer transfer outlay, stating it demonstrates a 'new ambition' following a period of underperformance. The Dutch international also promised fans a more attacking and enjoyable brand of football under newly appointed manager Roberto De Zerbi for the upcoming season.
The significant financial commitment, which has seen Spurs break their transfer record twice – first for £85 million midfielder Mateus Fernandes and then securing Sandro Tonali from Newcastle in a £100 million deal – comes after a turbulent 2025-26 Premier League campaign. Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation on the final day, marking their second consecutive 17th-place finish in the league. Majority owners, the Lewis family, subsequently pledged an 'all in' approach to a necessary squad rebuild.
Speaking to the British media during Tottenham's pre-season tour of Australia, van de Ven highlighted the positive changes. "It’s really good that you can see the club has made some changes. They have brought a really good new manager, in my opinion, and some really good new signings. You can see the club has new ambition. It’s something that’s really important for players that have been there for a long time," he commented. He added that the team's immediate goal is to secure a European qualification spot, a target he believes is fitting for a club of Tottenham's stature.
The past year has been marked by considerable upheaval at the North London club. Long-serving chairman Daniel Levy departed in September 2025, just months after the club ended a 17-year trophy drought with a Europa League triumph. Levy's exit was followed by a further spell of poor form, leading to the dismissal of manager Thomas Frank in February 2026, and interim boss Igor Tudor lasting only seven games. With the Lewis family now exerting greater influence and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham tasked with revitalising the club's fortunes, De Zerbi was appointed in March.
Van de Ven expressed confidence that the Italian manager would restore the attacking flair that was largely absent under Frank. "It’s going to be different compared to the former manager we had last season. It’s going to be more with the ball, more playing football. I think it’s going to be more enjoyable for people to watch playing offensive football," he explained, suggesting a shift towards a more proactive and entertaining style of play.