Thomas Frank offers Tottenham contract update on Micky van de Ven - 'That's a good sign'

Micky van de Ven signed a six-year contract until 2029 when he arrived for £43million from Wolfsburg two years ago

Thomas Frank has claimed Micky van de Ven is “happy” at Tottenham and there is no rush to extend his “good contract”. The Dutch centre-back signed a six-year contract until 2029 when he arrived for £43million from Wolfsburg two years ago.

Van de Ven, 24, played a big role in the Europa League win last season and scored twice in the weekend win at Everton. Spurs have awarded new deals to Cristiano Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur this season.

But before Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie at Newcastle, Frank said: “As far as I know, we have a good contract with him but definitely a player I see with a big future at the club.

“I think he is happy here, that is very important and we’re happy with him, so let’s see what happens in the future. I think the most important thing is it looks like he really enjoys his football, he really enjoys his time here, I am very happy with him, everyone is really happy, so that’s a good sign.”

Speaking on Sunday, Frank also admitted there is work to be done on their offensive play and has played down expectations as he continues to try to implement his methods.

A 3-0 win at Everton moved Spurs into third and they are probably ahead of schedule after the Dane took over in the summer. But there are plenty of signs his methods – defensive organisation and set-pieces being two key points – are starting to take off.

“I think we are in the beginning of building something,” said Frank. “I’m very happy with a lot of things: the defensive side, attacking set-pieces – but there is a bit we need to work on offensively to be more free-flowing.

“The clean sheet mentality is a very good foundation to stand on. Who knows (where it will lead) but I need to take it one game at a time.”

Frank will hope offensive improvement will come as on-loan Paris St Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani adapts to the Premier League after making his first start on Merseyside.

“It was pleasing to see his first 60 minutes. He is still building his physicality and sharpness,” he said of the Frenchman. “At times he lacks some of the interaction with the front four but that is an ongoing process.”

After the club’s Europa League win last season Frank is having to juggle the demands of the Champions League while still trying to settle himself into the club.

He has been pleased with how the players have coped so far, having inflicted Everton’s first defeat at their new Hill Dickinson stadium just a few days after securing a battling goalless draw in Monaco.

“We really are competitive, especially away from home,” he added. “I think it is three years since the club was in the Champions League, so quite an inexperienced squad to go every three or four days.

“It is difficult to compete in both tournaments so to keep the energy and focus, plus we also did it after all the travel, it showed a lot about the mentality.”