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Darren Bent claims Tottenham really missed their £34m player vs Newcastle as he didn’t start
Tottenham have had a mixed start to the new Premier League season, with Spurs losing 2-1 on Sunday against Newcastle United.
With Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven and Richarlison all missing the trip due to injury, Tottenham have already been hit by fitness problems just three games into the new campaign, with the north London side only managing one win, as well.
With the international break already here, though, Tottenham are expected to have a number of players back ahead of this month’s massive North London Derby, where Ange Postecoglou will be hopeful of getting a huge result against Arsenal.
And Darren Bent thinks one player who is slate to return was missed massively against Newcastle.
Tottenham off the pace vs Newcastle with Micky van de Ven absent
Speaking on , the pundit claimed that Tottenham really missed Van de Ven at St. James’ Park, with the Netherlands international missing the trip up north as a precaution after picking up a small knee injury against Everton.
Signed from VfL Wolfsburg last year for £34m, Van de Ven has quickly established himself as one of Tottenham’s most important players under Postecoglou, though injury problems are becoming a recurring issue for the defender.
And Bent believes Tottenham really missed Van de Ven against Newcastle, with the former England international saying on the Dutchman’s absence on the weekend: “They missed Van de Ven massively.
“There was one situation where Isak thought he got through and Dragusin came back and caught him, but I just think Van de Ven, he just gives you that pace, they can squeeze up and cover behind because they are playing so high. You need that pace.”
Van de Ven being fit to face Arsenal will be massive
Van de Ven is one of Tottenham’s most important players and a defender who will have a big future in north London if the centre-back can avoid any major injuries in the coming years.
And ahead of facing Arsenal after the international break, Tottenham having the Dutch international available would be massive for Spurs in their bid to get one over on their north London rivals early on in the season.
Indeed, Van de Ven will be keen to feature for Tottenham in the biggest game of the season, and Arsenal’s attackers will not want to face the former Bundesliga star at 100% fitness and freshness.