If there was any doubt over why Tottenham brought in one of their summer signings then a performance at the World Cup might just blow that away
Jan Paul van Hecke gave Tottenham supporters the perfect World Cup display of exactly why Roberto De Zerbi was keen for the club to spend the money required to prise him away from Brighton.
The Seagulls managed to get £52million for the Netherlands international even though he only has 12 months left on his contract, along with a 20% sell-on of any profit Spurs make if the 26-year-old departs north London in the future for more than the price Tottenham got him for.
Van Hecke made his breakthrough at Brighton under De Zerbi and after the Italian’s departure, the centre-back was the south coast team’s player of the season under Fabian Hurzeler in the 2024/25 campaign before impressing again last season.
His Premier League form has ensured that he has also become a firm fixture in the Netherlands defence for Ronald Koeman in recent months and he has played every minute in the World Cup for the Dutch so far alongside Virgil van Dijk, with his new Spurs team-mate Micky van de Ven at left-back.
However, it was Van Hecke’s performance on Thursday night against Tunisia that was the pick of the bunch so far. He registered his first goal for his country with a near post flicked header in the 62nd minute from a corner that a Tunisian defender could only help over the line.
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That goal was the icing on the cake of a display that set three new standards at the World Cup. According to stats experts Squawka, Van Hecke touched the ball 145 times – more than any player in a single game so far at the tournament. He also completed 130 of his 134 passes, again the most of any player in a single match at the competition and finally the Dutch defender made 39 passes into the final third, which was once again the most of any player in a single game at the World Cup.
That’s not all though as the new Spurs signing made the most ball recoveries in the game with seven, won five duels and executed four clearances – the joint-most on the pitch – and completed two tackles and of course scored that first senior international goal for the Netherlands.
Van Hecke will bring plenty to Tottenham with his defending and his leadership as well as his ability on the ball and willingness to get it quickly to those further up the pitch. Some might have mocked his new club for paying out so much for someone nearing the end of their contract but it could end up being a bargain for Spurs if their new centre-back brings what De Zerbi expects and what he’s showing on the world stage.
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