Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Falling meme of Micky Van De Ven as he fell and his head and shoulder on the ground after dribble from Alexander Isak.
It is a ludicrous tale — how a club in the Dutch second division came so close to discarding the defender now testing the shutter speeds of photographers’ cameras at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Today, he holds the Premier League record as its fastest-ever player, previously clocked at 23.23mph. Back then, he supposedly smuggled lead in his socks, a story which Van de Ven’s father, Marcel, related to Mail Sport this week.
‘When the Volendam trainer said, “You’re not fast enough and not good enough”, I understood that a kid who’s 16 might think, “That’s it. I’m done. I have to go”,’ Marcel said, speaking from his native Netherlands.
‘But I told him, “This is the best message they are ever going to give you. You know you can play, so play. If you think they are going to send you away, just play. And if they send you away, I will bring you to the club where you can play with your friends. But for now, go on. Do what you like. Do what you love. Do what you want. Live your dream”.
The curse of the commentator has struck Van de Ven with the Dutch defender at fault for Newcastle’s three goals. Van de Ven was sat down twice in as many minutes by Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, with the latter cutting inside to hand Newcastle a two-goal advantage before the break. Isak added a third goal as he raced away from the Spurs man, who had stepped up and left space in behind despite he ex-Dortmund striker being in his own half.