Tottenham Hotspur have not had a whole lot of bright spots to start the 2026/27 Premier League season, as it feels like they are still right back where they started in 17th place in the table. But if there is one player shining brighter than anyone, then it is Jan Paul van Hecke, who has come a long way since being run ragged by Brentford in a 3-0 blowout loss at the Gtech Stadium on Matchday 1.
Over the past couple of weeks, Van Hecke has been Spurs best player, dominating in possession just like he did this summer for the Netherlands at the World Cup and even in the preseason for Tottenham against the likes of La Liga's Getafe. Van Hecke barely misplaces a pass, he gets the team moving forward, and he is legitimately even better on the ball than Cristian Romero was, which is exactly what Roberto De Zerbi had in mind when he spent a whopping 60 million euros on his old Brighton pet favorite.
Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven have perfect chemistry
But one of the biggest benefits to signing Van Hecke has been the chemistry with Micky van de Ven. Van Hecke's best displays have come since Van de Ven has returned to fitness and started next to him, and Van de Ven, in turn, looks a lot more comfortable defensively with the more stable Van Hecke by his side.
There was an almost unsaid concern from Tottenham Hotspur fans that while Cristian Romero and Van de Ven were both talented players, they were not necessarily the best fit together as a pair. And Romero, especially as a captain, was a poor example for Van de Ven and often hung his Dutch center back partner out to dry, particularly last season. And could see that wearing on Van de Ven, and his own effort fell off when Romero essentially gave up on the team during the worst of Spurs downward descent to relegation in the 2025/26 season.
Now, Micky van de Ven looks a lot more solid in terms of his marking and one on one defending, and he and Jan Paul van Hecke are absolutely bossing the middle of the pitch. They left Kevin Danso with no room, and he probably saw the writing on the wall in terms of his minutes. And even Marcos Senesi and Tosin Adarabioyo are going to find it hard to get into games with how well Van de Ven and Van Hecke are doing as a duo.
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