Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has hailed the club's record-breaking summer transfer outlay, stating it demonstrates a "new ambition" following two consecutive "unacceptable" Premier League seasons. Speaking from Sydney during the club's pre-season tour, the 25-year-old indicated that the significant investment, totalling £237 million, marks a clear shift in direction under new manager Roberto de Zerbi.
Spurs have endured a challenging period, finishing 17th in the Premier League in both the 2024/25 and 2023/24 campaigns, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season. Van de Ven, who joined the club in 2023 on a six-year deal and is reportedly in contract discussions, expressed relief at leaving the recent struggles behind. "Last season was a stressful season, unacceptable from our side, so to leave all of that behind and go into the new season fresh means a lot," he told BBC Sport.
The substantial spending spree, initiated after De Zerbi's appointment in late March, has seen Tottenham shatter their transfer record twice in quick succession. Midfielder Mateus Fernandes arrived from West Ham in an £85 million deal, swiftly followed by the £100 million acquisition of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United. Additionally, Van de Ven's Netherlands international teammate Jan Paul van Hecke joined from Brighton for £52 million, alongside experienced free agents Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson, and Martin Dubravka.
Van de Ven anticipates a significant change in playing style under De Zerbi, contrasting it with the approach of previous managers. Tottenham cycled through three managers last season, with Thomas Frank lasting less than eight months before his dismissal, followed by interim manager Igor Tudor's 44-day tenure. De Zerbi took the helm with seven games remaining in the season. Van de Ven believes the new manager's philosophy, combined with new talent and a full pre-season, will lead to more appealing football. "It's going to be more with the ball, I think, more about playing football. I think it's also going to be more enjoyable for people to watch because we'll be playing offensive football," he explained.
The Dutch international also praised De Zerbi's immediate impact on team morale. "You can see he has brought a lot of passion into our group, a lot in terms of mentality and passion on the pitch. It is something we needed because everybody was a little bit down," Van de Ven commented. He added that the new signings have integrated seamlessly into the squad, contributing to a positive team atmosphere as they prepare for the upcoming season.