Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      England and Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins marries long-term partner Ellie after getting engaged at Lake Como

      by

      OLLIE WATKINS has wed long-term partner Ellie  – ten months after the most romantic of proposals.The England and Aston Villa striker, 29, got engaged to the 28-year-old at Italy’s Lake Como last July.The newly weds have one son, Marley, and a daughter, Amara MayOllie Watkins proposed to Ellie Alderson at Lake ComoCredit: @olliewatkins/InstagramThe couple live in Birmingham after dating since 2018Credit: Instagram @ellsaldersonEllie shared that perfect moment on Instagram – as the footballer went down on one knee on a scenic balcony bedecked in snow-like flowers, with the couple also wearing white.Now they have announced their marriage on social media too – six days before Villa end their season with Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester United.Ellie posted: “Legally Mrs Watkins” – with emojis of a white heart and a house.Again the couple, who have two children, went for a classic look.REASD MORE IN FOOTBALLEllie chose a lacy white dress, while her partner went for a classic black-suit look, without adding a traditional tie.As congratulations flowed in, one message came from a club and country team-mate of Watkins.Emerging star Morgan Rodgers added a red-heart emoji below Ellie’s post.Her photo attracted nearly 44,000 Instagram likes within just three hours.Most read in FootballResponses from well-wishers included: “Just so beautiful”… “Your dress is amazing”… and “So stunning”.One fan did put: “Could have waited until the end of the season.” The couple went to the pitch as Watkins acknowledged fans after Villa’s final home game of the season, Friday’s 2-0 win over TottenhamCredit: PAEllie has posted many glam images on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @ellsaldersonBut that was in good spirits too as he added: “Only joking – congrats, record breaker.”The newly-weds began dating in 2018 and have set up home in Birmingham.Ellie’s twin sister Sofie often shares pictures of them on Instagram.Their first child, daughter Amara May was born on September 15 2021.And their second kid, son Marley, arrived on April 17 two years later.The couple proudly showed on social media the moment Amara met her little brother for the first time.Read More on The SunNow the couple have had their own big day.And not surprisingly. they look as blissful in their marriage snap as they do in just about all their pics together.Watkins has won 18 England caps since joining Villa in 2020Credit: AlamyEllie’s engagement ring was on display on hols before they wedCredit: Instagram / @ellsalderson More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      People are just realising Man Utd legend Eric Cantona is COUSINS with new Pope Leo XIV

      by

      ERIC CANTONA was worshipped by Manchester United fans – and they might have been on to something. French genealogy experts have discovered the football icon is related to Pope Leo XIV.Eric Cantona is a distant cousin of the new PopeCredit: GettyPope Leo XIV is American but has relatives in France and ItalyCredit: The Mega AgencyCantona, 58, took English football by storm in the early 1990s.After a short stint at Leeds, he joined United in 1992 and spent five eventful years at Old Trafford. Geneanet have taken a deep dive into Pope Leo’s ancestry after he took on the role earlier this month. Born in Chicago, Pope Leo’s real name is Robert Francis Prevost.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe study traced the Pope’s roots back to France after discovering his paternal grandfather was born in Italy and emigrated to the US.The study managed to map out Leo’s lineage all the way back to 1415.And it turns out the Pope is a relative of Cantona – with the pair distant cousins. The United icon and the family of Leo XIV are linked from the 12th to the 15th generation.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThey are joined by the marriage of Bertrand Negrel and Louise Jean, who wed in 1566 in Roquevaire, Southern France. Cantona, who was born in Marseille in 1966, is also a cousin of famous author Albert Camus, according to the study. Looking for ManchesterThe 58-year-old was recently back in Manchester on a fan crusade.He signed his whole family up as shareholders in rebel club FC United.Cantona took aim at United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for his decision-making since taking over the club. He claims the Ineos owner is trying to “destroy everything” and blasted the decision to move away from Old Trafford. The Frenchman said: “I support United because I really love United.”But now if I was a fan and I had to choose a club I don’t think I would choose United.“For me, that is very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and your team-mates.“I think since Ratcliffe arrived it’s the complete opposite and this team of directors they try to destroy everything and they don’t respect anybody.“They even want to change the stadium.Read More on The Sun“The soul of the team and the club is not in the players. All the people around is like a big family.“I don’t feel close to these kind of decisions. They have another strategy, another project. Do you feel close to this project? I don’t think so.” More

    • 250 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal suffer another injury blow with Jurrien Timber set for surgery and a doubt to be ready for NEXT season

      by

      JURRIEN TIMBER is set to undergo an ankle operation — and is now in a race to be fit for the start of next season.The Arsenal full-back has been struggling for fitness in recent weeks and has been advised by the club’s medical team to go under the knife.Jurrien Timber will undergo ankle surgery and could miss the start of next seasonCredit: GettyHis last game was the 2-1 Champions League semi-final defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on May 7, missing the 2-2 draw at Liverpool and Sunday’s 1-0 home win over Newcastle.The hope is the Dutchman will be in the best position to hit the ground running next term as he targets a return for the start of the Gunners’ pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong from July 19.But he joins a long list of players on the club’s injury list.Although Kai Havertz made his return from a hamstring injury on Sunday, defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu and striker Gabriel Jesus are still out of action, while William Saliba was subbed off at half-time against Toon with a thigh problem.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTimber has been one of Mikel Arteta’s most consistent and impressive performers this term, playing 48 times.He joined the club from Ajax for £34.5million in the summer of 2023, but missed most of that season after rupturing his ACL in the opening game.Ben White is now set to start at right-back for the final Prem game at Southampton on Sunday.Meanwhile, boss Arteta is preparing for a ruthless summer of incomings and outgoings this summer, having called on the Arsenal board to “do what they have to do” by providing  funds, with £60m-valued Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres a priority.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSArteta revealed that he will lose “four or five” members of a squad that he recently admitted was short of numbers at the start of the season.Those “four or five” include two loanees — Bournemouth keeper Neto and Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling. Mikel Arteta will be sacked by Christmas if Arsenal are not in top two, warns former Gunners starSterling is not expected to be extending his time at Arsenal, but remains in the dark over his future, with a lack of communication from parent club Chelsea.His loan has been viewed as a let-down, and Arteta has already moved on from the 30-year-old, opting against bringing him on against Newcastle.While Ethan Nwaneri, 18, has proved he can provide back-up for Saka on the right wing, Arteta will push to sign a left winger this summer, which will threaten starting spots for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.Should top target Nico Williams — who has a £50m release clause — be signed from Athletic Bilbao, then Trossard could be moved on to raise funds, with the Belgian having just one year left on his current contract and heavily linked to a Saudi move.Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic should be completed soon, with his deal expiring at the end of the term, while fellow left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has drawn interest from Borussia Dortmund after losing his place to academy star Myles Lewis-Skelly.The Ukrainian’s influence in the dressing room and positional flexibility is valued by Arteta, but again, with 12 months left on the 28-year-old’s deal, this could be a chance to cash in on a player they spent £35m on from City in  2022.Read More on The SunJorginho, 33, is understood to have already said his goodbyes, with his contract soon up and a chance to return to his birthplace Brazil to see out the rest of his career.And fellow midfielder Thomas Partey is in a similar position, but sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to be keen to explore a contract extension for the 31-year-old, even with a £51m deal agreed for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Brighton 3 Liverpool 2: Super-subs keep Seagulls’ faint European hopes alive as Slot’s side suffer Ibiza hangover

      by

      IBIZA-dazed and beach-soaked, Arne Slot’s champions were given a shock by the sea.Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood stepped off the bench to score an 87th-minute winner in a five-goal comeback thriller at the Amex.Jack Hinshelwood scored the winner for Brighton against LiverpoolCredit: PAArne Slot’s champions were suffering from an Ibiza hangover on the south coastCredit: APThey started brightly as Harvey Elliott scored after nine minutesCredit: ReutersBut Kaoru Mitoma spearheaded the resistance as the Seagulls swooped in to take all three pointsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialIt left Liverpool boss Slot with another sore head, having spent the last week boogying and boozing in Ibiza to celebrate being crowned Prem kings nearly a month ago.The Reds squad also enjoyed an end-of-season jolly in the Middle East – and as their winless run stretched to three games, you can safely say they are well and truly still on the beach.Conor Bradley strutted his stuff in front of unused sub and Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold with a beautiful ninth-minute assist for Harvey Elliott to open the scoring.And Dominik Szoboszlai scored an unintentional worldie to regain the lead after Yasin Ayari’s 32nd minute equaliser, only for substitute Kaoru Mitoma to level again in the 69th minute.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Japanese international had only entered the pitch four minutes earlier but he was outdone by Hinshelwood whose goal came 78 SECONDS after his introduction.VAR did its best to stifle Hinshelwood’s mad celebrations for a tight offside, but the eighth-placed Seagulls are remarkably still dreaming of Europe heading into the final day, still needing Chelsea to finish seventh and win the Europa Conference LeagueSince clinching the title at home to Tottenham on April 27, Liverpool have lost to Chelsea and drawn to Arsenal, but Slot continued to gamble with his selection choices.Skipper Virgil van Dijk was dropped to the bench, not starting a Prem game for the first time this season, meaning Mohamed Salah started a Liverpool game as captain for the first time.Most read in FootballYet the early signs were that the visitors were right up for this one. Cody Gakpo cut inside and brushed Bart Verbruggen’s left post with a whipped, curling effort.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThat was until Brighton started to turn the screw and do what they have become brilliant at under Fabian Hurzeler – dominate proceedings and create chances without scoring.Bradley in particular – a young man already famous at Anfield for wiping out Kylian Mbappe – was being given the run around down the right by Simon Adingra.Liverpool boss Arne Slot parties with Wayne Lineker in Ibiza just hours after Premier League clash with Arsenal_2But Brighton were soon punished for their lack of cutting edge as Szoboszlai’s diagonal was volleyed down the line by Salah for Bradley.The Northern Irishman proved he has the guile as well as grit, nut-megging Pervis Estupinan and jinking his hips to send Adam Webster for a hot dog and slid in Elliott to tap home.“There’s only one Conor Bradley” the away end sung. Another dagger to the heart of Alexander-Arnold, and an unwelcome reminder that his beloved Scousers have found a new hero.When he was not being pressed and panicked by Brighton’s energetic wingers, Bradley was enjoying himself, coming close with a goal of his own moments later, side-footing just wide.The hosts did not lose faith. Danny Welbeck should have buried a header from an Adingra cross.Slot was pacing, and Ayari finally made it count after a lovely back-to-front move. Welbeck laid off for Gruda whose lob over a static Liverpool defence was cooly converted.Was the partying catching up with the champions? It was all getting a bit sloppy until Szoboszlai stepped up to shock the home fans – and most of his teammates.A harmless free-kick routine had Elliott tee up the Hungarian. Given acres of space, he knuckleballed a shot – or cross? – from the right of the box over Verbruggen and into the side-netting.His muted celebration and embarrassed smirk said it all. Slot reacted by putting his hands on his head in disbelief. Deliberate or not, Liverpool were back in control.Not that Brighton believed that. They continued to batter their opponent with admirable bravery. Welbeck had a low-struck free-kick palmed away by Alisson.The attack, attack, attack chants continued after Salah’s uncharacteristic 54th-minute sitter from seven yards out, brilliantly made by Gakpo’s swashbuckling run down the left.Alisson continued his personal mission to deny Welbeck an 11th Prem goal of the season but for substitute Mitoma to pounce on a rebound.Read More on The SunThe Japanese star had only been on the pitch four minutes, yet provided a killer instinct his teammates had been lacking.Another pair of Hurzeler-inspired subs brought about the winner – Matt O’Riley’s ball across the six-yard box tapped in by Hinshelwood. The Beach Boys got one over the boys on the beach. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd hold face-to-face talks with £30million Liam Delap as transfer race for Ipswich striker ramps up

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly held face-to-face talks with Liam Delap over a £30million move from Ipswich.The striker, 22, has emerged as a top target for Ruben Amorim after banging in 12 Premier League goals this season.Man Utd have held face-to-face talks with Ipswich striker Liam DelapCredit: RexChelsea are also interested in snapping up Delap, who has an active £30m release clause following Ipswich’s relegation to the Championship.But the forward appears to be favouring an Old Trafford switch after holding direct talks with United chiefs.The Athletic reports Ipswich gave Delap permission to travel to Manchester after he came off the bench in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Leicester.It allowed United the opportunity to sell their vision to the ex-Man City starlet.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the Red Devils are yet to make a formal offer for Delap as they focus on Wednesday’s Europa League final.United are also looking to strengthen their frontline with the signing of Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.And it’s believed a deal is close with Cunha all-but agreeing personal terms.Again, United are yet to meet the Brazilian’s £62.5m release clause.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut internally, they have decided to trigger it once the season comes to an end as Wolves brace for an official approach.A host of other top forwards also remain on United’s shortlist.How Europa League final will be decided – four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battlesViktor Gyokeres, who starred under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, and Victor Osimhen, on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, remain options for the No9 position.Meanwhile, Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo is still in contention for a supporting role in attack.But for now, it’s Delap and Cunha who are leading the way for United at a combined cost of £92.5m. More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Crystal Palace risk being gutted by Big Six after FA Cup fairtytale but Eze and Co should follow Vardy’s example

      by

      THERE’S one big problem with so-called footballing “fairytales”.Instead of “and they all lived happily ever after”, they tend to end with the words “and they all f***ed off to Big Six clubs”.Crystal Palace’s FA Cup heroes like Eberechi Eze risk being poached by the big six clubsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialBut they should stay put at PalaceCredit: GettyThe day after the final we were given a reminder of football’s greatest fairytale merchant, Jamie VardyCredit: Shutterstock EditorialBefore and after Crystal Palace lifted their first major trophy at Wembley on Saturday, those who inspired the club’s FA Cup triumph have been the subjects of a speculation avalanche about summer switches away from Selhurst Park.Boss Oliver Glasner is in pole position to take over a Tottenham team nowhere near as good as Palace, while Eberechi Eze has attracted the interest of Spurs and both Manchester clubs, all of whom have been beaten by the Eagles this season.Midfield man Adam Wharton is wanted by Liverpool, while skipper Marc Guehi could be holding out for a free transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona.These are the last things any Palace fan wants to read in the afterglow of victory over Manchester City — but it is the way of the footballing world, with its big, bad wolves.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMoney talks. The bigness of big clubs is big. And killjoy PSR regulations make it increasingly hard for smaller clubs to be upwardly mobile.Yet the day after Palace’s Wembley glory, we received a timely reminder of English football’s greatest fairytale merchant, Jamie Vardy.After their miraculous title success in 2016, Leicester were precisely where Palace are now — their euphoria troubled by rumblings from a traditional, self-entitled elite desperate to dismantle their team. N’Golo Kante immediately headed off to Chelsea, to be followed by his midfield partner Danny Drinkwater a year later.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKRiyad Mahrez begged for a move but had to wait until 2018 before he was snapped up by Manchester City.Yet Vardy, the subject of a major bid from Arsenal in 2016, stayed put — claiming it was an easy decision to stay at Leicester.Dean Henderson gets emotional live on GMB over death of his dad after FA Cup triumphThe idea of rough-diamond Vardy working under the urbane Arsene Wenger would have represented an intriguing meeting of minds.But nine years later, there was Vardy, netting his 200th goal in his 500th and final match for the Foxes, treated to a guard of honour from the boys of 2016 and hailed as Leicester’s finest-ever player.Of course, it still wasn’t “happily ever after”. Leicester have been relegated for the second time in three years following a train-wreck  campaign.But Vardy’s achievements, since his £1million arrival from non-league Fleetwood in 2012, have been extraordinary. From the great escape, to a record 11-match Premier League scoring streak in the title campaign, to the Golden Boot in 2020 and the FA Cup in 2021. Vardy isn’t your classic romantic hero.Jane Austen never wrote about a bloke who played non-league football in a convict’s ankle tag, taunted opponents with incessant s***housery and thrived on a diet of Skittles, vodka and the tobacco product snus.Nicknamed Steptoe, due to his resemblance to an ancient TV rag-and-bone man, Vardy went from rags to riches and back to relative rags, due to his wife’s defeat in the Wagatha Christie court case. But in an age of here-today-gone-tomorrow transience in elite football, Vardy has been a glorious exception.He snubbed Arsenal, became the Foxes’ GOAT and, at 38, still operates with the speed of a thoroughbred racehorse.Of course, nobody should blame Eze, Wharton, Guehi or any of Palace’s Cup final heroes if they do jump ship.And certainly not Glasner, given the complete lack of loyalty shown to modern football managers.Claudio Ranieri, architect of Leicester’s 2016 success, was sacked nine months later —  in between two legs of a Champions League knockout match against Sevilla.When I recently asked Glasner whether Spurs would always be a bigger club than Palace, he insisted that they “inhabited a different world”.While Europa League nights at soulful Selhurst Park sound like a treat, the lure of a higher salary and higher expectations, in a world-class stadium feeds the egos of these men.Glasner may leave this summer, along with two or three of Palace’s best players, and that would be a shame — because it would be such a bleeding obvious thing to do.Vardy, meanwhile, is looking for another Premier League club. Palace might well see him as a more reliable back-up striker than Eddie Nketiah. And Vardy might see another fairytale opening up.Named n’ shamedEverton’s new Bramley Moore Dock stadium has been named after a law firmCredit: ReutersONE of the most depressing factors when a club moves to a new stadium, is that they are nearly all subject to “naming rights” deals.Take Everton’s new home — which has apparently been named after a law firm, rather than the farcical comedian Benny Hill and the orange-skinned antique dealer David Dickinson.English football ground names used to possess a certain romance — from Scunthorpe’s Old Show Ground to Shrewsbury’s Gay Meadow.There is nothing so poetic about the ‘Hill Dickinson Stadium’.Fans show they CairFulham fans will say their goodbyes to Tom Cairney this weekendCredit: Shutterstock EditorialWHEN Fulham face Manchester City at Craven Cottage on Sunday, both sets of supporters will say goodbye to a talismanic midfielder who arrived at his club ten years ago and led them to previously unscaled heights.And while Kevin De Bruyne wasn’t bad, the Fulham fans will be singing “ain’t nobody like Tom Cairney”.Glanville’s no puzzleEnglish footballer writer and author Brian Glanville has passed away at 93Credit: GettyBRIAN GLANVILLE, who has died aged 93, was a prolific journalist and author who was the doyen of our trade.And for all the great lines Glanville wrote, the words I remember best were ones he spoke at Loftus Road during a friendly between Trinidad & Tobago and Iceland in 2006.We were covering this bizarre fixture because England were due to play Trinidad at that year’s World Cup but the “action” was hardly gripping, so another esteemed writer turned his attention to the puzzle section of his newspaper.At which Glanville hollered: “Four letters beginning with ‘C’ — a bloke who does a crossword in a press box.”Esse option a tier jerkerRecruitment from the Championship for the likes of Romain Esse has worked wonders for PalaceCredit: GettyCRYSTAL PALACE’S FA Cup success owes much to their willingness to recruit from the Championship — an increasingly-rare approach among Premier League clubs.Eberechi Eze, signed from QPR, and Adam Wharton, from Blackburn, were stars of the show, just as Michael Olise proved an excellent recruit from Reading before last summer’s move to Bayern Munich.Romain Esse, a January signing from Millwall, looks like he will prove to be Palace’s next such shrewd buy.It’s a wonder more top- flight clubs don’t do likewise.Pep’s sour HendPep Guardiola’s rant at Dean Henderson should have been a moment of good grace insteadCredit: Shutterstock EditorialPEP GUARDIOLA’S ranting at Dean Henderson after Manchester City’s FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace, brought to mind a quote attributed to American football coach Vince Lombardi — “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”.But despite his reputation for volcanic outbursts, Sir Alex Ferguson — the one manager with more Premier League titles than Guardiola — could often be extremely gracious in defeat.Such as after the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley, when Guardiola’s Barcelona defeated his Manchester United side 3-1.“Nobody’s given us a hiding like that but they deserve it,” Ferguson said. “In my time as manager, it’s the best team I’ve faced.”Sure, Henderson should have been sent off — but Palace’s first major trophy should have been a moment for similar good grace.Read More on The SunLeague of their ownFOR English watchers, a clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan is the least sexy Champions League final in years — no English clubs or players and no Lamine Yamal to marvel at either.Yet PSG and Inter are wonderful teams and this promises to be the competition’s best final in years — especially as there hasn’t been a decent one since Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in 2018.Crystal Palace ratingsCRYSTAL PALACE secured their first ever trophy with a famous FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Maidstone fan wipes out goading Boreham Wood rival with ‘tackle of the season’ after play-off final defeat

      by

      A GOADING fan was wiped out by “the tackle of the season” from a rival supporter at a jam-packed play-off final.And when the clip went viral, viewers made it clear where their sympathies lay.This flying challenge took the man and his beer by surpriseThere was a brief flare-up afterwards but the floored victim looked dazedBoreham Wood were celebrating beating visitors Maidstone United 1-0 to earn a place in the National League.And as fans streamed onto the pitch afterwards, one beer-swilling Wood follower on the turf decided to taunt away supporters in the stand.The man, who was wearing jeans and a hoodie, danced around pointing upwards as he tormented opposition fans.But from 30 yards away on the other half of the pitch, a supporter came hurtling towards the bopping supporter – without him realising it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And the sprinting offender finished his surge with a two-footed slide that sent the man and his beer crashing to the ground in opposite directions.The victim got up looking nonplussed, and jumped back as if startled.Supporters in the stand roared their approval at the lunging ‘challenge’.Another man then tried to confront the tackler, only to lose his footing and be guided away by a third fan.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAnd although the lunger had acted aggressively – to say the least – he won the backing of viewers.One said: “Great tackle, a little late but a phenomenal challenge.”Non-league rising teenage talent at centre of transfer tussle and branded ‘next Jeremy Doku’ shows off skillsAnother posted: “Maidstone fan with tackle of the season on a Boreham Wood fan.”A third wrote: “Totally deserved and good on him, grown men goading the oppo after a huge final win.”A fourth claimed: “He didn’t expect a Maidstone fan to do this in retaliation.”And a fifth observer reckoned the victim paid the price for his mocking behaviour as a counterpart “took matters into his own hands”.Sunday’s match climaxed an incredibly tight season in National League South.Truro were the only side to go up automatically — as champions on goal difference from Torquay.But just three points separated the top two from Dorking in sixth.Maidstone finished seven points further adrift in seventh place – taking the last play-off spot.Read More on The SunCharles Clayden’s brilliant 47th-minute winner in the final sent Wood back to the National League at the first attempt in front of a 3,500 crowd at Meadow Park.Meanwhile, Scunthorpe beat fellow ex-EFL club Chester 2-1 after extra time in the National League North play-off final. More

    • 275 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      My dad is a former undercover agent and TV star who’ll be cheering me on in Europa League final, says Tottenham star

      by

      MICKY VAN DE VEN is out to crack the case of Tottenham’s trophy drought — with the support of his detective dad.The Dutch defender will have his old man watching him in Bilbao as Spurs look to end 17 years without silverware by beating Manchester United in tomorrow’s Europa League final.Micky van de Ven is out to end Tottenham’s trophy droughtCredit: PAVan De Ven’s dad Marcel is former detective and TV star in the NetherlandsCredit: Twitter @ESPNUKThe Dutchman was written off as a teenager at VolendamCredit: GettyMarcel van de Ven is a former undercover agent who later became famous on the Dutch version of TV show Hunted.Despite Van de Ven Sr’s busy schedule fighting crime, somehow he still had time to go to all of his son’s matches right from youth level.Micky, 24, said: “Every game he was there, even when I was younger. You have to ask him how he managed that!”Midweek, most of the time he was gone because he had a job to do and couldn’t tell us everything about it.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”But at the weekend when we had to play, the most important part, he was always there.”Literally until today, he’s everywhere. Every home game, every away game, he wants to be everywhere. He always tries to be there.”It was my dad, my mum and my sister who were the ones who kept pushing me.”Because even when you’re younger, every year you get a new gaffer.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Then the people around you are the ones you are close with.”Even now, these days after a game they help me. They’re like, ‘You could do this better or that better’, they are still the people who help me.”How Europa League final will be decided – four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battlesMarcel may have always backed his son’s foray into football but Micky was not always so well supported by the professionals overseeing his development.In fact, there was a feeling at his first club Volendam that a teenage Van de Ven did not have the ability to make it as a footballer.It was only when former Sheffield Wednesday star Wim Jonk became his manager at the second-tier Dutch club that the young defender got his big break, which led him to Wolfsburg in 2021 then on to Spurs in the summer of 2023.And Van de Ven, also a Netherlands international, still uses being written off in his teens as motivation to succeed today.On those that believed he would not make the grade, he added: “That’s crazy.”At Volendam there were people who didn’t have the trust in me and now I am standing here. I proved them wrong.”We have all been standing behind Ange since day one, since he joined here.Micky van de VenVan de Ven’s Spurs defensive partner Cristian Romero also once revealed he was so miserable at his own first club Belgrano back in Argentina that he considered quitting the game.Romero, nicknamed Cuti, went on to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 alongside the iconic Lionel Messi.Tottenham ace Van de Ven continued: “There are a lot of players in their careers who get doubts from multiple people.”It depends a bit on how late in your career you are getting doubts, of course.”I was getting doubts when I was 17, 18 years old.”Then you might have to think about something different. Then it’s all down to yourself and the people around you to keep pushing.”That’s what Cuti probably did and that’s what I did, and now we are both standing here.”And Cuti won a World Cup. I am now in a European final. It’s a beautiful thing.”Coaches at Volendam told van de Ven he wouldn’t make the gradeCredit: GettyNow Van de Ven is determined to change Tottenham’s trophyless ‘Spursy’ tag with victory over the Red Devils.He said: “It would be a big thing, of course.”Everybody knows that when you join Tottenham you get, ‘Ah, you’re not going to win a trophy’, people saying you will be trophyless for the rest of your career.”All the guys that came up here were like, ‘We’re going to change something about this club’.”It was the gaffer and it was the whole squad who said, ‘We’re going to come here and change something’.”For us, it’s the job now to make this happen in Bilbao.”Van de Ven could come up against his compatriot Matthijs De Ligt, 25, in Bilbao — provided the United centre-back is fit to play.De Ligt may only be a year older yet he is a hero to Van de Ven, who used to watch him play for Ajax as a supporter in the stands when both were teenagers.Ironically, it was Tottenham’s unforgettable comeback win against Ajax in the 2019 Champions League semi-final — when Lucas Moura scored a second-half hat-trick and Spurs won on away goals — that stands out most in his memory.Van de Ven explained: “The first thing that pops up in my head is the game against Tottenham.”I was in the stadium. He was playing that game.”These games I can remember are more from the Champions League when Ajax went to the semi-final. He was playing unbelievable.”When you’re a young kid, you’re looking up at him — captain at 18 years old, doing an unbelievable job. Then you think, ‘I want to be like him’.”Spurs have had an awful league campaign, with a record 21 defeats.Even if they beat United, boss Ange Postecoglou is expected to leave the club.Yet Van de Ven reckons the Aussie has proved his worth by taking the club to just its second European final in 41 years.He added: “We have all been standing behind the gaffer since day one, since he joined here.”He showed his quality, he brought us to a European final.Read More on The Sun”Of course, he’s getting a lot of doubt from the media and we see these things.”But I think he proved all you guys wrong and we’re standing in a European final, so hopefully we can lift the trophy. Not only for us but also for him.” More