Ronald Koeman replaces Micky van de Ven in Netherlands squad

Hey, ‘member that time? When Micky van de Ven? Like, went into a tackle and his knee looked like it buckled the wrong way? And ‘member how he was, like on the ground? For a long time? And then got back up again and played like he was okay? And then, like didn’t play for Spurs in Sunday’s loss at Newcastle? ‘Member that?

That was awesome.

Well, I have more good news for you — and you can interpret “good” as either something ironic or completely straight truth, depending on how you like to interpret Rorschach tests. Because according to the Internet™, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has replaced Micky in the Oranje team with Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, because of Micky’s injury, assumedly the same one he sustained against Everton and that kept him out of the Newcastle lineup.

Now here’s where your ability to read news headlines clashes right into your general outlook on life. Because I can guarantee half of you read that are are all Oh FUCK Micky’s seriously hurt he’s gonna be out months and we’re screwed and the other half of you are Thank God, now Micky can rest for two weeks so he’ll be back in time for us to kick Arsenal’s butts in the North London Derby.

The truth is likely somewhere in the middle. Yes, it’s not GREAT that Micky is apparently hurt enough to miss both the Newcastle match and get recalled from international duty, but spending time recuperating is certainly better than limping around at 50% or whatever playing stupid Nations League matches with his national team and possibly prolonging whatever’s wrong with him.

So I choose to be optimistic. We didn’t get anything from Ange (and he pointedly avoided talking about Micky in his pre-match presser) and we might not, but I choose to believe he’ll be okay.

BRB, lighting candles for a prayer circle.