A Rising Star at Tottenham:
Micky Van de Ven, the Dutch defender, has swiftly endeared himself to the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase since his £43 million transfer from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023.
Despite his unconventional choice of shirt number, No 37, Van de Ven’s performances alongside Cristian Romero have solidified his place as a fan favorite at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Unconventional Number: No 37
Traditionally, central defenders opt for shirt numbers like 4, 5, or 6. However, Van de Ven’s decision to don the No 37 raised eyebrows.
In a recent revelation, the talented defender shared the deeply personal reason behind this unconventional choice.
No 37 was the favorite number of a childhood friend who passed away when they were younger.
Van de Ven, touched by this sentimental connection, decided to honor his friend’s memory by choosing the number when he signed for Tottenham.
A Summer of Transformations Under Postecoglou
Van de Ven joined Tottenham in a transformative summer, orchestrated by manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian manager, along with new signings Alejo Veliz, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, and Brennan Johnson, reshaped the team’s dynamics.
Under Postecoglou’s guidance, Spurs evolved from a side criticized for their playing style under Antonio Conte into one of the Premier League’s most dynamic and high-octane outfits in the 2023-24 season.
Sentimental Shirt Numbers Across Football
Van de Ven’s choice of No 37 is not an isolated incident of sentimentalism in football.
Drawing parallels with former Ajax players, several stars and academy graduates have chosen shirt numbers for sentimental reasons.
Players like Donny Van de Beek, Joel Veltman, and Justin Kluivert adopted specific numbers in tribute to Abdelhak Nouri, an Ajax starlet whose promising career tragically ended due to a cardiac arrest during a pre-season game in 2017.
The Road Ahead for Tottenham
Currently positioned fourth in the Premier League, Tottenham is just three points behind arch-rivals Arsenal.
The team, under Postecoglou’s dynamic leadership, is gearing up for a crucial clash against Everton at Goodison Park.
Van de Ven’s heartfelt connection with his shirt number adds a poignant layer to his contributions on the field, making him not only a standout player but also a symbol of personal remembrance in the Tottenham squad.