Premier League

MICKY VAN DE VEN’S father Marcel is a famous former undercover agent turned TV star in the Netherlands.Van de Ven, 22, is on the path to stardom in England after a brilliant start to life at Tottenham.
Marcel van de Ven is Tottenham star Micky’s dadCredit: Instagram @marcel.v.d.ven
The former undercover agent is a TV star on Dutch show HuntedCredit: Twitter @ESPNUK
His form for the Prem table toppers recently earned him an international debut for the Dutch national team.
But he may still have a fair way to go to usurp the fame of his dad in his homeland.
Marcel van de Ven worked as an undercover agent in a secret unit responsible for fighting major crimes.
He later transitioned to TV work, becoming the lead detective on Dutch series “Hunted”.
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On the reality show, a team of experts are tasked with tracking down “fugitives” on the run.
His popularity has also seen him pen an autobiography.
Such is the demand that the book has become a bestseller.
His son has quickly become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, but things haven’t always gone so smoothly.
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Van de Ven, 22, has had a brilliant start to life at SpursCredit: Rex
Last month, Van de Ven spoke of how his father’s words of encouragement helped him when it looked like he may be released by second-tier Dutch side Volendam.
He told the PA: “My dad [Marcel] helped me also a lot at Volendam.
“It was a difficult situation for me because when people say they don’t trust you when you are 17-years-old, maybe you have to look for work or something.
“You have to have a second choice if you can’t make it to be a professional football player and you have to switch.
“I said to my dad, ‘maybe I have to work,’ and he was like, ‘No! Trust me. One day a person will come, you will get your chance and grab it’.
“So, I kept working, pushing, pushing, pushing and there was the chance and I grabbed it.”
After breaking into Volendam’s first team, Van de Ven earned a £3.15million move to Wolfsburg in 2021.
Following two years in the Bundesliga, the 6ft 4in ace moved to Tottenham in a £43m switch.
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He has played every minute in all competitions so far this season, and even scored the winning goal against Luton.
Van de Ven became a full Dutch international earlier this month, featuring in matches against France and Greece.
Dad Marcel has been a big influence on defender Van de VenCredit: Instagram @marcel.v.d.ven
Van de Ven’s dad supported him through difficult spells earlier in his careerCredit: Instagram @marcel.v.d.ven More

THE Premier League’s dirtiest teams of the past five years have been revealed.And it’s Manchester United who are finally back on top of the league.
Man Utd have the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League across the last five yearsCredit: AP
Boffins at punters.pub analysed the disciplinary records of consistent top-flight sides over the past five years.
It saw 12 teams come under the microscope.
But it’s United who came out with the worst track record.
The Red Devils have managed to pick up an incredible 386 yellow cards in the past five seasons.
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That’s 13 more than the next closest side.
United also picked up nine red cards in that time, the joint second-best number of the 12 sides.

But their incredible yellow card record means they top the average discipline score.
A yellow card counts as one point, while red cards are two.
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And that sees United come out with a score of 2.04, putting them narrowly ahead of Everton.
The Toffees have accumulated less yellows than United in the same time.
But they have instead received a whopping 17 red cards, the joint-most of any side.
And Everton have an average score of 2.03.
Third place goes to Spurs, who are close on the top two’s heels with an average of 2.02.
Meanwhile, the final ‘Champions League of discipline’ spot goes to Wolves.
Hot on their heels are Arsenal, Newcastle and Crystal Palace.
While Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham complete the top 10 list.
Meanwhile, further research showed that out of Europe’s top five leagues, Spanish side Getafe have the worst discipline.
They picked up a mind-boggling 652 yellow cards and 39 red cards — giving them an average score of 3.66.
The next top two spots also went to Spanish sides, with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid also proving to be naughty.
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A punters.pub spokesperson declared: “While accusations fly between fans of rival teams around the world, it’s interesting to see the data and establish which teams can actually be considered ‘the dirtiest’ in each league.
“It’s also certainly interesting for those who might wage money in disciplinary categories of betting like cards received per game.” More

AN ex-Arsenal star hopped on the overground to go and watch old rivals Tottenham last night.Spurs have had a sensational start to the season, sitting top of the Premier League after last night’s 2-0 win over Fulham.
A former Arsenal star headed to Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: Instagram
Tottenham beat Fulham 2-0 courtesy of goals by Son Heung-min and James MaddisonCredit: Getty
The North Londoners have now picked up 23 points from their opening nine games this term.
No manager in the league’s history has ever earned more from their first nine matches than Ange Postecoglou.
After dramatic clashes with Manchester United, Sheffield United and Liverpool, Spurs fans have become used to thrills and spills at home this season.
Last night’s win was a lot more routine, with goals either side of half-time by Son Heung-min and James Maddison securing victory.
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Despite the triumph, Postecoglou wasn’t overly happy with his team’s performance.
The Aussie accused his side of “taking liberties” after the match.
Former Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin appears to be impressed with what Spurs are doing, however.
The Russian headed to Monday night’s game, despite his prior allegiances.
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Andrey Arshavin rode the overground to the gameCredit: Instagram / andrey.arshavin10
The Russian famously starred for Arsenal between 2009 and 2013Credit: PA:Press Association
Arshavin, now 42, starred for the Gunners between 2009 and 2013.
But he forgot his old allegiances as he went behind enemy lines to watch Spurs, sharing his journey to Instagram.
He posted a video of himself on an overground train to his 233,000 followers.
The former winger wore a grin as he donned large rectangular glasses and a beanie hat in his selfie vid.
He wrote: “On the way to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.”
Arshavin then posted another pair of clips from his plush seat as the teams entered the field.
The former Gunner nearly joined rivals Tottenham in the summer of 2008.
He had just starred for his country at that year’s European Championships.
His international team-mate Roman Pavlyuchenko signed for Spurs, and Arshavin nearly followed suit.
After the move had fallen through, he explained: “When Tottenham made their offer, I was sceptical at first.
“But after [Juande] Ramos called me personally and told me that they were selling Robbie Keane and that he wanted me in his side, the situation changed.
“When a coach shows an interest in you, especially such a renowned and strong coach, then that is already half of the success of any move.
“I also like the way Tottenham play so I agreed in principle to join.”
Even after having joined Arsenal, Arshavin reiterated in October 2009: “I was not against a move to Tottenham.
“If it was down to just me to reach an agreement, the move could have taken place.”
Arshavin went on to make 144 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 31 goals and laying on 46 assists.
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He most famously netted four goals in a single game during an epic 4-4 draw at Liverpool.
In 2013 he returned to Zenit, ahead of further moves to Krasnodar and Kazakh side Kairat before calling it a day in 2018.
The former winger shared a video from his seatCredit: Instagram / andrey.arshavin10
Arshavin scored four times for Arsenal in a game at LiverpoolCredit: Getty More

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has made the best start to life in the Premier League of any manager in the competition’s history.The Tottenham boss has collected has collected 23 points from his first nine Prem games, more than anyone else.
Ange Postecoglou has had a stunning, record-breaking start to life at TottenhamCredit: Alamy
Spurs have had a great start and sit top of the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
Postecoglou, 58, guided Spurs to a 2-0 win over Fulham last night – adding to triumphs over Manchester United, Bournemouth, Burnley, Sheffield United, Liverpool and Luton.
Tottenham’s two draws came in away matches against Brentford and Arsenal, both finishing 2-2.

The Aussie wasn’t overly impressed with all aspects of his side’s performance last night, accusing his players of “taking liberties” at times against Marco Silva’s men.
But he has plenty of reasons to be cheerful, including this astonishing record.
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Guus Hiddink and Mike Walker have the joint second-best record of bosses in their first nine Premier League games, both accruing 22 points, one fewer than Postecoglou.
Hiddink’s haul came in 2009, when he took over as Chelsea’s interim boss following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Walker, meanwhile, oversaw Norwich’s brilliant start to the inaugural Premier League campaign in 1992.
Maurizio Sarri, Frank Clark and Thomas Tuchel were all unbeaten in their opening nine Prem games, picking up six wins and three draws from nine.
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No manager has picked up more points from their first nine Prem games than Ange Postecoglou
Sarri and Tuchel both had their impressive starts at Chelsea, while Clark succeeded Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest.
Carlo Ancelotti, Unai Emery and John Gregory also grabbed 21 points from nine matches – winning seven and losing two at Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively.
Pep Guardiola managed 20 points from his first nine games at Manchester City in 2016.
City won their first six Prem matches under Guardiola… before losing 2-0 at Tottenham. Home draws with Everton and Southampton followed.
A remarkable list of managers have also managed 20 points in their first nine Prem games.
Like Guardiola, Tim Sherwood and Phil Brown grabbed 20 points.
Sherwood was Tottenham’s caretaker boss at the time, following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.
Brown, meanwhile, had taken Hull City up from the Championship, with his side stunning the Prem upon their arrival – with their start including wins at Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle.
Phil Brown had unorthodox methodsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Tom Sherwood managed 20 points from nine games at TottenhamCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Chelsea trio Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Avram Grant managed 20 points apiece from their first nine games – although only the former won the league.
Grant was replaced by Scolari after coming second and losing the Champions League final – before the Brazilian was sacked by February 2009 and replaced by Hiddink.
Of the Prem’s current crop, Erik ten Hag managed 16 points from his first nine games in the competition last year.
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Mikel Arteta picked up just three wins from his first nine games as Arsenal boss after taking over from Emery, earning 14 points.
Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp grabbed just 12 points each from their opening nine Prem matches in charge of Southampton and Liverpool respectively.
Jose Mourinho won the Premier League title in his first season at ChelseaCredit: Reuters
Pep Guardiola won his six Prem games before losing 2-0 at TottenhamCredit: EPA More

MANCHESTER CITY have named a training pitch after former player Ilay Gundogan.The Treble winner ended his seven-year stay at the club in the summer when he left on a free transfer to Barcelona.
Manchester City honoured Ilkay Gundogan with a mosaic
Gundogan became the first City captain to lift the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters
The German won 121 trophies during his spell at the clubCredit: Getty
But Gundogan has left a lasting legacy after winning 12 trophies during his time at the club.
He was Pep Guardiola’s first signing and he captained City to an historic Treble.
Now the club has decided to honour the German by naming a training pitch after him.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak announced the news in a video message, with a mosaic of Gundogan also unveiled.
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He thanked the 33-year-old for his contribution to the club, recognising him as the first City captain to lift the Champions League.
Al Mubarak shared his admiration for Gundogan and said the mosaic was a gift to mark his place in the history of the club.

Gundogan won five Premier League titles at the Etihad as well as the FA Cup on two occasions and the Carabao Cup in four consecutive years from 2018-21.
He had to overcome adversity months after joining the club after tearing his ACL in the December of his first season in Manchester.
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Gundogan was sidelined for several months but he played his way back into the team and quickly became a crucial player for Guardiola.
He was appointed captain at the beginning of last season and made 304 appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals. More