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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Van de Ven starring at Tottenham</li><li>One man was key in his success</li><li>May not have been a footballer without him</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'What would I have done then?' - Tottenham star Micky van de Ven admits he WOULDN'T have become a footballer without key man's intervention

<p>The Tottenham centre-back has paid tribute to Netherlands assistant manager Wim Jonk after starting working with him six years ago when he was 18. The Dutchman gave the defender a shot at Volendam in 2019, and the rest is history. But without his help, the ex-Wolfsburg star said he would probably be a "personal trainer".</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>“He [Jonk] has been very important in my career," he told <a href="https://www.soccernews.nl/news/oranje-kracht-in-plaats-van-de-sportschool-zonder-hem-was-ik-personal-trainer/" target="_blank">Soccer News</a>. “He introduced me to professional football. Without him, I probably would not have become a professional footballer. What would I have done then? I think personal trainer or something else in sports."</p>

WHAT VAN DE VEN SAID

<p>Van de Ven joined Tottenham in 2023 for around €50 million (£42.6m) and since then he has developed a reputation as a highly-respected defender, with terrific athletic ability. He played a key role in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/tottenham-player-ratings-vs-man-utd-europa-league-final-brennan-johnson-micky-van-de-ven/blt5503ac1eb0012125" target="_blank">Spurs' Europa League triumph</a> and is now playing for his country on a regular basis. But without Jonk, he could be in a very different position.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Like many at Tottenham, the 24-year-old will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/tottenham-thomas-frank-deal-key-reason-delay-appointing-ange-postecoglou-successor-revealed/blt46bbf9f5e1c6c13f" target="_blank">incoming Spurs boss Thomas Frank</a> - who is set to join from Premier League rivals Brentford following <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/spurs-sack-ange-postecoglou-daniel-levy-thomas-frank/blte3d6a132dd72b55b" target="_blank">Ange Postecoglou's sacking</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'What would I have done then?' - Tottenham star Micky van de Ven admits he WOULDN'T have become a footballer without key man's intervention | Goal.com

Tottenham star Micky van de Ven has revealed that without the intervention of one key figure, he may not have become a footballer at all.

&apos;What would I have done then?&apos; - Tottenham star Micky van de Ven admits he WOULDN&apos;T have become a footballer without key man&apos;s intervention