Brentford manager defends Micky van de Ven after injury incident
Brentford’s Thomas Frank has publicly defended Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven following criticism from Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who condemned a challenge that resulted in Alexander Isak sustaining a broken leg, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred during Saturday’s Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which Liverpool won 2-1. After the collision, Isak managed to score, but the seriousness of his injury quickly became evident.
The 25-year-old forward has since undergone surgery to address a fractured fibula in his left leg. Frank’s comments came ahead of Tottenham’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Slot described the tackle as “reckless,” stating, “If you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a serious chance the player gets a serious injury.”
In response, Frank disagreed, asserting that van de Ven “did everything he can to avoid the goal.” He elaborated, saying, “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.” Frank added, “Reckless challenge? I don’t think you see anything like that from Micky. He is very fair and I know the two players have sorted it out, so that’s a good sign.”
Beyond the incident, Frank addressed ongoing speculation regarding Spurs’ co-sporting director, Fabio Paratici, potentially leaving for Fiorentina. He stated there had been no official approach and focused on the upcoming match against Crystal Palace.
Frank also acknowledged the recent departure of assistant coach Matt Wells, who has accepted a managerial position with Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids, saying, “Very happy for Matt. It is a great opportunity for him.”
The dynamics of the Premier League continue to unfold amid injury concerns and managerial changes, reminding fans that the line between competitive spirit and player safety remains a critical conversation in English football.
