The 12th round of the 2025/26 Premier League season will feature a highly anticipated North London derby. Manager Thomas Frank stated that Van der Wen is a well-rounded defender who does not rely solely on speed to break through defenses.

Since the start of this Premier League season, 24-year-old Van der Wen has contributed 3 goals for Tottenham Hotspur and 2 goals in the UEFA Champions League, demonstrating an excellent overall performance.

Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2 with Manchester United in the last round of the Premier League, thanks to goals from Matthijs de Ter and Richarlison. Tottenham Hotspur currently sit 5th in the standings with 18 points, 8 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Speaking about Van der Wen's performance, Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank said, "I think when you're a very fast player, sometimes you do rely on that too much. But Van der Wen put a lot of thought into his positioning in the box, and I think that's key. As a defender, physical strength and speed are certainly important, but for me, the best defenders also do what I call calm and composed defending."

"They don't panic; they wait for the best opportunity and then make a quick block, which is a key point. He has excellent footwork and can move forward, and his left foot is also very good, capable of making short passes or through balls. In addition, he has increased his threat from set pieces this season, which I think is something a complete defender must have."

In addition, after the derby against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur will have to prepare for their crucial Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Thomas Frank also stated, "For me, hard work is very important; we must strive to perform as a team. In the world of football, no team achieves success without hard work."

"This is the blueprint for success, and of course we need good organization, good attack and defense. But in today's football, pure effort and fighting spirit are the bottom line that cannot be compromised."