Tottenham Coach: Spence and van de Ven Apologize for Post-Chelsea Defeat Clash
05 NOV 2025 11:48 | VIEWS: 1
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, after which two of their players, Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven, apologized to their manager Thomas Frank for their conduct post-match. Following the final whistle, instead of acknowledging the fans as instructed by Frank, they headed straight for the tunnel. This incident occurred during a match where Tottenham recorded their lowest expected goals (xG) since Opta began tracking this metric in the 2012-13 season.
Thomas Frank explained that he had a conversation with the players afterward, during which they expressed regret over their actions. He attributed their behavior to frustration from the defeat and the crowd's reaction, rather than disrespect. Frank emphasized the importance of supporting the players, acknowledging that they are human and emotions can sometimes get the better of them.
Additionally, another Tottenham player, Bergwijn, was involved in a post-match incident where teammate Guglielmo Vicario had to escort him away from the stands following a fan's reaction. Vicario stated that he was protecting his teammate, who was emotionally overwhelmed at the time.
Bergwijn suffered a concussion during the match and will miss the upcoming fixtures against FC Copenhagen and Manchester United. Frank praised the medical team for their swift response and stressed that player health is a top priority.
Spence and Mohammed Kudus also picked up minor injuries but are expected to be available for the match against FC Copenhagen.
Expert analysis: Tottenham are navigating a challenging period, but it's encouraging to see players taking responsibility and apologizing for their actions. This demonstrates a commitment to the team and the manager, which is crucial for overcoming difficult situations.
SOURCE: Sky Sports