Alan Hutton anticipates that star player return could be a game-changer for Tottenham Hotspur this season, but he urges caution in rushing the Dutchman back into action. The 22-year-old made a comeback to Ange Postecoglou’s matchday squad during the FA Cup third-round clash with Burnley after being sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in the chaotic 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in November.
Although Van de Ven remained on the bench for the entire 1-0 victory against Burnley, speculation suggests he might be ready to start in the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester United on January 14. With Eric Dier completing his transfer to Bayern Munich, Postecoglou faces defensive shortages, but Hutton advises against hastily thrusting Van de Ven into action at Old Trafford.
In an interview with Tottenham News, Hutton expressed, “It’s huge, I thought he was outstanding. He and Romero played really well together, they had that pace to get back in, and I can understand why they’re not just throwing him back in because, with a hamstring injury and how he did it running at full pace, you don’t want to take the risk.”
While acknowledging Van de Ven’s training and strength work, Hutton advocates a cautious approach, emphasizing the importance of gradually reintegrating him into match situations. He suggests monitoring his minutes on the pitch, taking it week by week to ensure the defender returns fully fit and ready for the second half of the season.
Van de Ven’s contributions to Tottenham this season have been significant, featuring in 11 Premier League matches, securing four clean sheets, and even scoring a goal. His stellar performances at the heart of Spurs’ defense played a pivotal role in their impressive start to the season. While the decision to start him against Manchester United remains uncertain, having the “outstanding” defender available is undoubtedly a considerable boost for Spurs.