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Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has opened up on Spurs’ latest Premier League defeat at the hands of Sunderland on Sunday.

It was yet more misery for Tottenham Hotspur in their last Premier League encounter on Sunday as they fell to another defeat.

Sunderland claimed all three points at the Stadium of Light, as a goal from Mukiele – taking a wicked deflection off Micky van de Ven and leaving Antonin Kinsky rooted to the spot – secured a 1–0 win over Tottenham.

That defeat now leaves Spurs firmly rooted in the bottom three of the Premier League table following West Ham United’s 4-0 win over Wolves, a victory that saw them leapfrog Tottenham into 17th.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven reacts after Sunderland defeat

There are six games left before the 2025-26 season is brought to an end, leaving Tottenham in a difficult situation with relegation now looming large.

Following the loss to Sunderland on Sunday, van de Ven shared his reaction to the match and how it unfolded.

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Speaking about his disappointment and how the game went, he told the official Tottenham channels:

“Devastated that we lost today here. I think we seemed better. I do not think we played a bad game. We created some chances, and I do not even think we conceded a lot of chances. The goal gets like a strange deflection while it goes in, a bit unlucky, but overall I do not think we played a bad game.”

When asked about the work done under De Zerbi in the weeks leading up to the game, van de Ven pointed to the effort on the training ground and the need to keep pushing forward.

He added: “We have been training really good last week and make sure we want to do the same. We just need to keep training hard and get the point at the weekend, which is so important.”

Spurs must find momentum quickly as pressure builds

When discussing how difficult the current situation is for the squad, van de Ven did not shy away from the reality of the moment.

Reflecting on the challenge facing Tottenham, he said, “Yeah, it is tough. There is no more I can say, it is just a really tough moment for all of us, and it is tough, it is not easy.”

He also addressed the run of misfortune, including the deflected goal, a disallowed penalty and Cristian Romero’s injury, stressing that little is going in Spurs’ favour at present.

He said: “Nothing is going to our side, I would say, in the last couple of months. What I would say, it is just really tough and like what you say today, a deflected goal, a penalty taken away from us, Cuti, hopefully nothing serious.

“So yeah, everything is not on our side at the moment. We just need to find momentum to turn that around and just get everything to our side. That is what we are working on right now and that is what we have to do every time.”

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown has provided an update on the future of Crysencio Summerville, who has been heavily linked with a move to Spurs this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi’s focus at the moment will be on ensuring Tottenham stay in the Premier League, but it appears he may have already started making tentative plans for the summer.

De Zerbi has reportedly already discussed potential transfer targets for the summer, and one West Ham star is seemingly on the club’s wishlist.

Tottenham have allegedly expressed an interest in Crysencio Summerville, who has arguably been the Hammers’ best player over recent months.

Ironically, West Ham leapfrogged Tottenham this weekend, and the best way to keep Summerville out of Spurs’ grasp could be to condemn them to relegation.

Tottenham told Crysencio Summerville is not certain to leave West Ham

It was reported by TEAMtalk last month that Spurs are at the front of the queue to land Crysencio Summerville, who they backed to leave the London Stadium this summer if the Hammers go down.

However, Mick Brown has now suggested that the Dutch winger could stay put at the East London club even if they were to be relegated.

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The former Tottenham scout told Football Insider: “I wouldn’t say it’s a certainty that Summerville will leave West Ham. Of course, they’re in a difficult financial situation and might end up getting relegated, so keeping their best players is going to be a tough ask. But ideally, they want to sell fringe players to raise money before they look at their star names.

“From Summerville’s point of view, this has been his first impressive season in the Premier League, at a club where he’s a key player and the fans love him. He’s been in the Championship before and achieved promotion with Leeds, so it’s not something alien to him; he knows what it’s like.

“West Ham will be keen to keep him because they’d have a better chance of coming back up with him in the side, even if it might be difficult.

“So I don’t think you can completely rule out any chance he might stay, even though there is interest from Premier League clubs who could take him away. I’d be surprised if he really pushed for it, I don’t think he’ll force a move away. If the right offer comes in then yeah, he could go, but he could also stick around.”

Spurs plotting potential double raid of West Ham

The former Leeds United man is not the only West Ham player on Tottenham’s radar ahead of the summer window.

Sports Boom claimed last month that Spurs are plotting a £75m double raid of Summerville and Jarrod Bowen this summer if Nuno Espirito Santo’s men go down.

However, before Tottenham can dream of such big moves, they first need to stay in the Premier League, and their challenge has just got harder as they dropped into the relegation zone following the Hammers’ win over Wolves on Friday.

Tottenham Hotspur are still in the race for Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi as they wait for his decision ahead of the summer.

Many Tottenham Hotspur fans are not behind the club’s intent to sign Andy Robertson this summer, with many feeling he is far from what the club needs at the moment.

It is understood that a deal is advancing, with Spurs said to have reached a verbal agreement with Robertson, although a move hinges on Tottenham’s Premier League status.

The signing of the Liverpool full-back will cost next to nothing should a deal be completed, as he is set to become a free agent this summer after calling time on his Liverpool career.

Tottenham in Marcos Senesi race as defender considers next steps

It is now being reported that Robertson is not the only free agent on the radar of Tottenham heading into the summer transfer window. Marcos Senesi is also of interest to Spurs, who have long been linked with a move for the Argentine.

However, Tottenham will face competition if they are to sign Senesi this summer, with Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester United also keen, while clubs in Spain and Italy have likewise been linked with a move for the Bournemouth defender.

Journalist Matteo Moretto has now provided a further update on Marcos Senesi, revealing that he is about to choose his next team, and that his agents are in close contact with the aforementioned Premier League clubs.

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It is further explained that the rest of the teams are much further away, even though reports in the past have claimed that Senesi prefers a move to Barcelona.

Senesi profile shows why Spurs interest makes sense

While there might be reservations about going for Robertson this summer, it might be an entirely different case for Senesi.

Unlike the Scottish international, the Bournemouth centre-back has played loads of minutes in the league this season and has been superb on the pitch.

At 29, he has proven he is capable of holding his own in the Premier League, which is a significant boost for any club that secures his signature.

Senesi is not just a solid defender; he is also capable of playing line-breaking passes from deep, a key trait that would be valuable in De Zerbi’s system.

Against Arsenal, he was just as impressive, putting in a solid display at the back, completing 79% of his passes and playing 10 passes into the final third as the Cherries beat the Gunners and put a dent in their title aspirations.

Tottenham Hotspur have now set their sights on a highly rated Italian centre-back amid reports of a potential defensive exodus in north London ahead of the summer window.

Given the latest transfer rumours involving Tottenham Hotspur defenders, it is only normal if fans of the Lilywhites are concerned about what their centre-back partnership might look like next season.

Spurs have indeed been poor this campaign, but there is hope of new boss Roberto De Zerbi salvaging their situation and keeping them in the Premier League, as they run the risk of relegation.

However, that will be far from the only task De Zerbi has, as he could well have to deal with a few players moving on regardless of Tottenham’s league status.

Tottenham target Giorgio Scalvini as Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven face transfer interest

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been linked with moves away from Tottenham, with clubs across Europe keen on landing Spurs’ main back two.

Radu Dragusin could also move away from north London, with interest in the Romania international coming from both clubs in Europe and in the Middle East.

TeamTalk are now reporting that Tottenham are preparing to strengthen their backline ahead of next season, with the club said to have Italian star Giorgio Scalvini firmly on their radar as interest in the Atalanta defender intensifies.

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It is explained that Spurs are now doing extensive background work on Scalvini, who is on their radar alongside Van Hecke, who is also highly rated by De Zerbi.

Tottenham are no strangers to recruiting defensive talent from Atalanta, having signed Romero from the Serie A side a couple of seasons ago. If Scalvini were to join and go on to enjoy a similar – or even better – career than the Argentine, he would surely prove to be a shrewd piece of business.

Spurs weigh Giorgio Scalvini move despite injury concerns

While the 22-year-old remains highly rated, his injury record in the past leaves a lot to be desired, only raising question marks over whether he will be an ideal fit for Spurs, who have struggled with injuries themselves.

This season, Scalvini has featured 17 times in Serie A but has still had to deal with his fair share of injuries, with the Italian having missed 69 days of action due to injuries of various kinds.

Last season, he spent even more time sidelined, a total of 142 days on the treatment table. The season before then was also worse, as he was out after picking up an ACL injury.

Given his injury record, one could expect matters to worsen in north London, where injuries have been a persistent issue. Spurs currently have nine players sidelined heading into the business end of the campaign.

Spurs, however, are not the only ones in the race for Scalvini, as they face competition from Newcastle United, who also have the Italian on their radar.

Tottenham Hotspur have now set their sights on a potential £26m bargain signing this summer window following a standout campaign that has yielded 19 goals and eight assists.

Tottenham Hotspur look set for a big squad refresh this summer after what has been a 2025-26 season to forget domestically.

Spurs are at risk of losing their league status as they are embroiled in a three-horse relegation race with West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

Failure to beat the drop could lead to an exodus of key players, one that the Lilywhites will be looking to avoid, making it vital for them to stay in the Premier League.

Tottenham target Benjamin Nygren transfer as Celtic wage offer emerges

With no European football next season, Tottenham are also set to miss out on the financial outlay that comes with it, meaning they will have to be shrewd with their transfer business.

Signing bargains will be ideal for Spurs, and now Sports Boom reports that Tottenham have set their sights on Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren ahead of the summer transfer window.

The midfielder has been in excellent form for his club this campaign, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists in all competitions, an impressive return for a youngster playing in a Celtic side that has been far from its best.

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It is further explained that Spurs consider Nygren a cost-effective option for the summer window, with the Swedish star impressing during scouting missions.

Spurs face Benjamin Nygren competition amid summer transfer plans

Tottenham, however, are sure to face competition if they are to land Nygren this summer, with clubs in the Premier League also interested.

It is not entirely surprising that several clubs are keen on his services, as he is expected to be available at a reasonable fee.

It is explained that Celtic will not stand in the way of Nygren if a big offer arrives in the window, with the Scottish side believed to value him in the region of £26m.

As for Spurs, the report adds that they could make Nygren one of their highest earners, as they are willing to quadruple his salary if they bring him to the Premier League, with the Celtic man currently earning in the region of £20,000 a week.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was in attendance for a match involving a Tottenham youngster, who has scored eight goals during his loan spell in the Championship, with interest building in the 21-year-old.

Not every loan spell for Tottenham Hotspur stars has been successful, with many fans of the Lilywhites not too pleased with Yang Min-hyeok’s development at Coventry.

However, while the Korean struggles, other Tottenham stars have impressed while away from Hotspur Way, including Alfie Devine.

The attacking midfielder has managed eight goals in the Championship this season with Preston, with Devine even grabbing a brace against Stoke City.

Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine watched by Martin O’Neill amid Celtic interest

Football Insider is now reporting that Alfie Devine is being scouted by Celtic, with Martin O’Neill spotted in attendance at Preston vs QPR.

Tottenham already have one of their youngsters, Mikey Moore, doing well in Scotland this season, and it appears Celtic is looking to land a Spurs talent of their own.

Devine did not score against QPR, but he put in a solid display, registering a 7.1 FotMob rating after providing an assist in his side’s 1-1 draw.

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Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, Pete O’Rourke outlined why Martin O’Neill was in attendance and identified Alfie Devine as a player of interest ahead of a potential summer move.

He said: “It was interesting that Martin O’Neill was there watching, I am sure he was watching a number of players.

“From what I am hearing, it might have been Alfie Devine, the young midfielder who is having a very good season for Preston in midfield, on loan from Tottenham.

“He was somebody that O’Neill was casting an eye over ahead of a potential summer move and for Devine, but again, it would be a hard deal to do.

“It will be interesting to see what Spurs have got planned for Devine after a successful season on loan at Preston.”

Spurs face growing Alfie Devine interest as transfer decision looms

While Celtic continue to monitor the 21-year-old, competition for Devine is only increasing, with Premier League clubs also interested, which is no surprise given his displays this campaign.

Preston does have an edge in the race for the Spurs man, as they have the option to buy Devine permanently this summer for just £4.5m, with the clause added in their loan deal.

With relegation a distinct possibility for Tottenham Hotspur, the club has now handed Roberto De Zerbi a significant off-field task amid the risk of losing key players.

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a precarious position this season, with relegation a very real possibility as they now sit firmly in the bottom three.

Should the Lilywhites drop down to the Championship, a mass exodus of key players is highly likely, with several already being linked with moves to clubs across Europe and the Premier League.

Cristian Romero has been linked with Atletico Madrid, Micky van de Ven is on the radar of Liverpool, while Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are wanted by sides in the Premier League.

Tottenham face player exit fears as Roberto De Zerbi tasked with keeping Cristian Romero

Football Insider report that Tottenham are hoping new boss Roberto De Zerbi will be able to convince their star players to remain in north London as they aim to rebuild again this summer.

It is explained that this is one of the tasks being given to him as Tottenham manager, with the club not wanting to risk losing their core spine ahead of next season.

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Reporting on the situation, Pete O’Rourke outlined Tottenham’s concerns over potential departures and how much will depend on De Zerbi’s ability to persuade players to stay.

He said: “With Tottenham at the moment, you just do not know what they are going to be able to do. Obviously, bringing in Roberto De Zerbi, they will see if he can help persuade maybe some players who have been considering their futures to stay at the club.

“A lot of them will have their eyes on moves away to play at the highest level in the Champions League and I am sure there will be clubs circling.

“Tottenham hope the manager can sell the long-term vision and convince them to be part of his plans, but a lot will depend on whether they are still in the Premier League.”

Spurs face crucial run as De Zerbi looks to secure survival

Tottenham started their relegation fight under Roberto De Zerbi with a bitter defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which handed West Ham the chance to leapfrog them into 17th.

Ironically, De Zerbi’s first home game in charge of Spurs comes against his old club Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend, before the Lilywhites take on bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

If Spurs have any hope of remaining in the Premier League come the summer, those ‘better performances’ will have to translate into at least two or three wins from the next six games.

Tottenham Hotspur’s latest defeat to Sunderland leaves them firmly in the relegation zone with six games remaining, and we have now identified the winners and losers from that clash.

It was far from the ideal start for Roberto De Zerbi in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout, with the new Spurs manager suffering a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on his debut.

That defeat now leaves Tottenham firmly in the bottom three as we head into the final six games of the league season.

Spurs will be desperate to pick up points now, with failure to do so sure to send them down to the Championship. Following the latest defeat to Sunderland, we have now highlighted two winners and four losers from that game.

Antonin Kinsky delivers standout display in Tottenham return

One player who can definitely be proud of his display today is Antonin Kinsky, who made his Premier League debut against Sunderland.

It will have been a nervous one for the 23-year-old, who would have had his howlers against Atletico Madrid a few weeks back in his mind.

However, today it was a completely different display from the Czech international, who looked assured at the back.

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He kept things simple with the ball at his feet, while also making a few crucial saves to keep his side in the game. Doing all of this while Vicario is out will for sure boost his chances of challenging the Italian.

Destiny Udogie excels despite Spurs defeat to Sunderland

The Italian full-back is another whose performance today places him among our two biggest winners from the game.

Destiny Udogie was really good at left-back for Tottenham, offering both offensive and defensive cover. Not only did he function as a traditional full-back, but he also inverted when needed.

When he got forward, Udogie made sure to offer some creativity, putting in good crosses into the box, some of which caused trouble for the Sunderland defence.

When defending his own goal, he was also as good, with few openings coming from his side of the pitch. After such a display, Djed Spence might just struggle to get into this Spurs team.

As for the losers from Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham…

Cristian Romero injury blow for Tottenham

The Tottenham captain did start the game really well against the Black Cats, often getting tight on Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey.

He also got in a few interceptions, tackles and blocks as he played with much-needed intensity and fight, striving to live up to his promise after the Nottingham Forest defeat.

However, Cristian Romero’s day was cut short after he picked up an injury following a collision with his own goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky.

He was forced off and, given Spurs’ luck on the injury front, the Argentine could well be looking at an extended spell on the sidelines and may not be able to help his side in all six games left this season.

Xavi Simons struggles for minutes in Tottenham vs Sunderland

It is still early days under De Zerbi, but if his first XI is anything to go by, then Xavi Simons might be a little worried about his chances under the new boss.

The Dutchman was barely involved in this game, only coming on in the 85th minute, which is disappointing given that Spurs were chasing the game and in need of a goal.

His impact off the bench was also not encouraging, as he barely had any influence on proceedings when he came on.

Richarlison struggles to convert Spurs’ best chances

Against Sunderland, we saw De Zerbi put out a strong XI with plenty of potential to grab goals. All three of Solanke, Muani and Richarlison were on the pitch and, in the first half, these players did have a couple of chances.

However, most of them fell to Richarlison, who barely made the most of them, with many of his efforts falling into the tame category. It felt like an opportunity to make an impression in front of his new boss, but it was not to be on the day.

Conor Gallagher flattered to deceive for Tottenham

Conor Gallagher was another thrown in from the start, this time playing in the pivot role alongside Archie Gray.

The Englishman put in a decent display in the first half, making a few challenges while marshalling the middle of the park for Spurs.

In the second half, he looked to carry on from where he left off, but his influence slowly faded as the game wore on.

He could certainly have done better for the Sunderland goal, as he was easily run past by Mukiele before he let fly.

The full-time whistle has been blown in the match between Tottenham and Sunderland at Stadium of Light, and it’s time for our player ratings.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 2026 misery continued as they fell to their 14th defeat of the calendar year in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge. Let us take a look at how the individual players got on.

Antonin Kinsky – There was little the Czech international could do about Sunderland’s first goal, as the deflection made it impossible for him to make a save. In the first half, his late save was what kept the game level. He later picked up a knock to his head after a collision with Romero, one he played through. 7.

Destiny Udogie – While he had to pick his moments to join the attack in the first half, we saw Udogie take more calculated risks in the second half, often even finding himself in the centre-forward position. Despite being used as a traditional full-back in the first half, in the second forty-five, he often inverted. Was arguably Tottenham’s most dangerous player and also dug them out of trouble with a couple of last-ditch tackles and clearances. 7.

Cristian Romero – The tussle between the Tottenham captain and Brian Brobbey continued in the second half. The Sunderland forward often got the better of Romero, but the Argentine continued to man-mark aggressively, picking up yet another yellow card. Romero’s afternoon was cut short, and he was forced off the pitch in tears after picking up an injury following a nasty collision with Kinsky. 5.

Micky van de Ven – After a few crucial interceptions and tackles in the first half, van de Ven was rather unfortunate to see his attempt to block Mukiele’s shot get deflected and lead to a goal. 4.

Pedro Porro – In the second half, the Spaniard created what was arguably the best chance of the half with a low driven pass to Richarlison, setting the forward through on goal, but he failed to convert. Porro did force a fine save from Roefs late in the game. 5.

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Archie Gray – The 20-year-old put in a good shift in the first half for Tottenham as he looked to keep things ticking with his passing in that pivot role. But his afternoon was cut short after De Zerbi opted to replace him with Joao Palhinha. 5.

Conor Gallagher – There was a slight tweak in the second half in Spurs’ build-up, with Gallagher dropping deep to help form a back three as Spurs looked to play out, allowing Udogie to invert into midfield. He could have done better for the Sunderland goal as he was easily run past. A pretty disappointing performance all-round. 3.

Lucas Bergvall – Just like in the first half, the midfielder continued to work hard in attack and created Tottenham’s first chance in the second half, but Richarlison’s first touch prevented him from getting a shot on goal. 4.

Richarlison – After a solid display in the first half, where he provided both attacking and defensive cover, the Brazilian looked to build on it and came close early in the second half after Bergvall slipped him through, but his touch let him down. He was later played through on goal by Porro, allowing him to run at the Sunderland goal, but again his shot was tame, barely testing Roefs. 3.

Dominic Solanke – He had a good chance late in the first half, but it was not until the 70th minute before his next sight of goal, which was a weak header that barely threatened Roefs. 3.

Randal Kolo Muani – Despite a few lively moments in the first half, Muani looked rather non-existent in the second half, barely seeing the ball and having any influence on proceedings. 4.

Substitutes

Pape Matar Sarr – Came on for Lucas Bergvall and went straight into the number ten position, but did not make any difference for Tottenham. 4.

Joao Palhinha – Replaced Archie Gray and took his place in the centre of midfield for Tottenham. 4.

Mathys Tel – Came on for Richarlison and took his spot on the left of the attack, but chances were hard to come by for the forward. 4.

Kevin Danso – Replaced Romero and filled in at centre-back. 4.

The first half of Premier League action has just come to a close between Tottenham and Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men were held to a goalless first half in his first game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur. Let us take a look at how the individual players got on.

Antonin Kinsky – He has not been tested much; the Spurs number two is playing only his first Premier League game of the season. Granit Xhaka did, however, try to catch him out with a corner that was close to dipping into the back of the net. He was later called into action and produced a fine save as Sunderland threatened, one that should do his confidence a great deal of good. 7.

Destiny Udogie – A quieter first half from the Italian, who has barely bombed forward to overlap Richarlison. Sunderland have barely threatened his side, and each time they have, he has been equal to it. Later in the half, he joined the attack and delivered a teasing low cross that caused confusion in the Sunderland box before falling to Solanke, who failed to convert. 6.5.

Cristian Romero – The Tottenham captain has made a couple of crucial tackles inside the box and has also won a couple of headers when crosses have been flung in. Romero also held his own against Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey, getting tight and physical, but eventually picked up a yellow card. 7.

Micky van de Ven – The Dutchman has kept it simple at the back, often recycling possession and playing passes out. He did make a crucial interception later in the half after Romero ran forward to join in the attack, before picking up a soft yellow card. 6.

Pedro Porro – Sunderland are trying their best to target the right of Tottenham’s backline and Porro has often been caught out of position, although Spurs have not been punished. He did pick up a yellow card for dissent. 5.

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Archie Gray – The youngster has looked really good in the centre of the park, keeping things simple with his passing, which he has varied, short and long. He has won a couple of tackles as well, also helping to fill in at centre-back after Romero’s forward runs. 7.

Conor Gallagher – The midfielder has looked to get as many tackles in as possible in this first half, but has often struggled to cover for Pedro Porro when he is out of position. 5.5.

Lucas Bergvall – A bright early start from the Swede, who is in the number ten role this afternoon and has been tasked with leading the press from the front. He came close to giving Spurs an early lead after being well-positioned for a tap-in, only for Sunderland to clear. 6.5.

Richarlison – The Brazilian is not being deployed in the centre-forward role here, instead being used on the right, where he has looked bright. He has played a couple of through balls to set up attacks and had a good chance from the edge of the box, but his effort was tame and straight at the goalkeeper. 6.

Dominic Solanke – The Tottenham number nine almost created the first goal of the game when he latched on to a Richarlison through ball, ran down the channel and looked to pick out Bergvall in the box. As the half progressed, Solanke had a couple of half-chances, including a good opportunity late on when Udogie’s cross fell kindly to him after a couple of ricochets, but he was unable to find the back of the net 6.