Manager Roberto De Zerbi announces a five-man leadership group as Spurs aim for improvement
Category: Sports
Tottenham Hotspur has officially named Micky van de Ven as the club captain for the 2026-27 season, as announced by manager Roberto De Zerbi on August 21, 2026. The 25-year-old Netherlands international, who has made 96 appearances for Spurs and scored 10 goals since joining, leads a five-man leadership group that includes World Cup-winner Pedro Porro.
Both Van de Ven and Porro will miss Spurs' opening Premier League match against Brentford on August 22, 2026. Van de Ven is sidelined due to injury, and Porro is only just returning to training after his participation in the World Cup.
Van de Ven takes over the captaincy from Argentine Cristian Romero, who transferred to Atletico Madrid earlier this month. De Zerbi articulated his rationale for having multiple captains, stating, "Why five captains? Just because I want many captains inside of the pitch and to be clear in the position. Every one of them deserves to be captain or in the group of the captains, but personality and passion is not if you are captain or not captain." The other members of the leadership group include Ben Davies, James Maddison, and Archie Gray.
Roberto De Zerbi joined Tottenham near the end of the previous season, taking over with just seven games left to play. At that time, the club was facing the threat of relegation for the first time since 1977. Under his guidance, Spurs managed to secure their position in the Premier League on the final day of the season, instilling a much-needed sense of spirit and determination.
This season, there are high expectations for Tottenham following a substantial close-season spending spree. The club has invested in several key players, including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Jan Paul van Hecke. The management hopes these acquisitions will help the team improve from their recent struggles, which saw them finish in 17th place for two consecutive seasons.
De Zerbi's strategy of appointing multiple captains is aimed at fostering leadership throughout the squad, ensuring that players can guide one another on the pitch. This approach is particularly relevant as Spurs look to build on their survival from last season and push for a more competitive position in the league.
As Tottenham prepares for their season opener against Brentford, the absence of Van de Ven and Porro raises questions about the team's readiness. De Zerbi confirmed that Van de Ven is recovering from a minor injury sustained during pre-season in Australia, but he expressed optimism about the player's future contributions. "Micky is not on the list tomorrow like Pedro," De Zerbi told reporters. "Today (Van de Ven) worked with us, with the group and he is going very well. He suffered a problem during the pre-season of Australia, I don't know if it was the flight, but not a big problem."
In response to the injury concerns, De Zerbi mentioned that other players like Marcos Senesi and Ben Davies are prepared to step in for the match against Brentford. The manager's confidence in the squad depth is indicative of his belief in the team's potential to compete effectively this season.
Looking ahead, Tottenham's management is not done in the transfer market. De Zerbi hinted at the possibility of more signings, particularly in light of reported interest in Brazilian winger Savinho from Manchester City. He stated, "We have not finished in the transfer market. It's an important part. So far we have brought in some great players, great spirit and great personality."
The upcoming match against Brentford will serve as an early test for the new leadership structure and the squad's ability to adapt to changes. With high hopes for a turnaround this season, Tottenham fans will follow closely closely to see how the team performs under their new captain and leadership group.
As the Premier League season kicks off, Micky van de Ven's leadership will be put to the test, and the club’s ambitions for improvement will be on display. The Spurs will aim to start strong, even as they navigate the challenges posed by player absences and the need for cohesion among new teammates.