Thomas Frank defends Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven over tackle on Alexander Isak
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Liverpool's Alexander Isak suffered a broken leg during a challenge by Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven that Liverpool manager Arne slot branded "reckless".
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Arne Slot criticised Micky van de Ven's challenge on Isak, claiming it recklessly caused a broken leg during Liverpool's 2-1 win.
- Thomas Frank defended Van de Ven, stating he was preventing a goal and the players have since resolved the issue.
- Frank praised Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner for his team's strong start, highlighting their defensive strength and set-piece prowess.
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has hit back at Arne Slot, after the Liverpool boss criticised Micky van de Ven for a “reckless” tackle that left Alexander Isak with a broken leg.
Defender van de Ven crashed into Isak with a sliding tackle in a failed attempt to stop the Sweden striker scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Spurs on Dec 20.
Isak, who limped off after the Dutchman’s challenge, underwent surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. He is expected to be sidelined for at least two months after the injury to his left leg.
Slot launched a scathing attack on the centre-back when he faced the media on Dec 23, saying that van de Ven was guilty of a “reckless challenge”.
“If you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there’s a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury,” said the Dutch manager.
But Frank defended his player in his own press conference.
“I am obviously disagreeing in many ways,” the Dane said. “We are talking about a defender that will do everything he can to avoid the goal.
“It is a transition, there is a ball down the side and he is doing everything he can to block the shot so he is sliding. Unfortunately, Isak plants his foot so it makes it look worse than it is, but that is a natural action for a defender.
“Put it this way, if my defender does not do that, they are not true defenders.”
Frank also said that van de Ven would not put an opponent’s health at risk with a dangerous foul.
“Reckless challenge? I don’t think you see anything like that from Micky,” he added.
“I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That’s one thing. I know the two players have sorted it out, so that’s a good sign.”
Tottenham’s defeat against Liverpool added to the mounting pressure on Frank.
The former Brentford boss has struggled since arriving in the close season to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou ended Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League, but the poor domestic form that haunted the Australian has continued under Frank’s watch.
Tottenham are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace, but Frank remains confident he can turn the tide.
“This is one of the biggest clubs in the world so it makes it a bigger and different challenge,” he said.
“Where this makes it extra challenging is we also play Champions League and Premier League at the same time. We are trying to improve when at 100 miles per hour.”
On facing Palace, he credited his counterpart Oliver Glasner – who led the Eagles to their first FA Cup triumph in 2025 – for the strong start to their league campaign after a 12th-place finish last season.
“I think Oliver’s done a top job at Palace (who are eighth). Very impressive. Clear identity of the team. Defend low, very compact and difficult to break down and very good on the counters,” he said.
“They’re one of the best on corners and have added long throws.” AFP, REUTERS
