Tottenham Hotspur are about to complete their third transfer of the summer and one member of Jan Paul van Hecke’s family has expressed his delight
Jan Paul van Hecke’s famous footballing uncle believes that his nephew will adapt and star at Tottenham and that the club will be a major force again next season under Roberto De Zerbi.
Spurs have agreed a £52million deal with Brighton to sign the centre-back, who is currently away at the World Cup with the Netherlands, and reunite him with De Zerbi. The 26-year-old had just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Seagulls but Tottenham pushed to sign a player that their head coach was keen to bring in to bolster a leaky defence, with Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi also set to bolster the backline.
Van Hecke comes from good footballing stock. His uncle is Jan Poortvliet, who played in the 1978 World Cup final for the Netherlands and managed Southampton for a spell in the 2008/9 season. The 70-year-old is currently the head coach of Dutch second tier side FC Eindhoven.
Poortvliet is delighted with his nephew’s move to Tottenham which is set to be confirmed after both clubs came to an agreement over the fee this week.
“Fantastic, truly wonderful. This is going to give him an extra boost during the World Cup. This is such a great motivation. He doesn’t have to worry about it anymore either. Full focus on the World Cup and then off to London. That is also more fun than Brighton. This is a city you love to visit,” Poortvliet said in an interview with Dutch media outlet sportnieuws.
The former Netherlands defender said that De Zerbi was the reason Van Hecke chose Spurs over other clubs and that the north London club will be a force next season.
“I think De Zerbi played the biggest role in the decision. Several clubs were interested, but De Zerbi was clear and absolutely wanted him. Jan Paul would have been at the top of the list. He knows De Zerbi’s playing style well and had a fantastic season under him. I think this is the best step,” he said.
“You shouldn’t see them as the club from last year anymore. They have a large following, they have a big budget, and if the manager can bring in the right people, they can compete at the top again next year.”
FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Van Hecke will be a big success at Tottenham because he has fought and adapted from an early age, reckons Poortvliet in the interview which was picked up by Sport Witness.
“He always took on the challenge. Everyone constantly doubted whether he was making the right move. From the third division with VV Goes to the NAC Under-18s and later the step to Brighton. Being stubborn and following his own path is now being rewarded once again,” he explained.
“Jan Paul has always been a fighter and always believed in what he was doing. He also played in defence from an early age and found his place. He always wanted to attack from there, and he can do that even more with the national team.”
Poortvliet believes his nephew will fit into De Zerbi’s team ethic perfectly once again in N17 because he does not try to show off.
“He is a service player who doesn’t go for his own success and leaves that to others. Then it is nice to see that he fits in well in such a team and everyone thinks ‘he could be even better’,” said the ex-Netherlands international.
“When he came to Brighton and saw the pace, he thought he would never make it. He had to adapt everything he knew, and he did. He always adapts and has ensured that he receives appreciation everywhere. He was named Player of the Year at Brighton. That is very impressive because he is among the world’s elite. I hope he gets to play many matches, for both the Dutch national team and Spurs.”
