Tottenham is uniting to aim for the top of the European stage. In particular, center-back Micky van de Ven (24), who was mocked with the phrase, "You can’t win if you go to Tottenham," is quite determined.
Tottenham will face Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final for the 2024-2025 season at 4 a.m. on the 22nd at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain.
The Dutch defender van de Ven directly rebutted the public perception that "you can’t win if you go to Tottenham" ahead of the final. In an interview with the British publication Football London on the 20th, he said, "I heard such things during my transfer in the summer of 2023, but I didn’t care at all. Everyone involved with Tottenham said, 'We’re going to change this team,' and manager Ange Postecoglou shared the same sentiment. I completely ignored the words 'you can’t win.'"
He also expressed trust in the manager. van de Ven emphasized, "From the first day the manager joined, we believed in him. Now that he has led us to the final, he has erased all doubts," adding, "If we lift the trophy, it will be a result for all of us and for the manager."
Tottenham has not won a trophy in 17 years since winning the League Cup in the 2007-2008 season. This Europa League final is a golden opportunity to end that long drought. For Tottenham, which finished 17th in the Premier League, and Manchester United, which finished 16th, the Europa League is the last stage to redeem themselves after a poor league performance.
The final also features a matchup between van de Ven and Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United) that attracts interest as both are from the Netherlands. The two are teammates on the national team but have little experience playing together.
van de Ven stated, "De Ligt is an excellent defender. He has played for prestigious clubs like Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich," adding, "I look forward to playing alongside him on the final stage."
He further noted, "This season has been really tough. But seeing the quality of the squad we have, we need to lift the trophy," emphasizing, "We are more than qualified."
"Tottenham captain" Son Heung-min also described this final as "the most important day of my life."
He recently expressed through the club's official website, "We are doing everything we can to lift the trophy," adding, "Our goal is to achieve results in the final. Everyone must come together."
All Tottenham players, including van de Ven and Son Heung-min, are united for the "win."
However, a variable is Son Heung-min's "physical condition." He has completed warm-ups.
Son Heung-min was sidelined with a foot injury last month but has recently improved his condition by playing in two consecutive matches. He came on as a substitute in the Premier League match against Crystal Palace on the 11th and started and played for 74 minutes against Aston Villa on the 17th. Tottenham reported, "Son Heung-min is showing confidence ahead of the final."
This final is particularly special for him. Since joining Tottenham in 2015, Son Heung-min has scored 173 goals in 451 matches but has yet to win a trophy. He finished as a runner-up in both the Champions League and League Cup finals against Liverpool and Manchester City, respectively.
Perhaps this Europa League final could be Son Heung-min's last chance for a career title.
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