Tottenham Hotspur spent 52 million pounds on Brighton star center back Jan Paul van Hecke even though he had just one year left on his contract this past summer and was coming off a down year for the Seagulls overall. But Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi badly wanted to work with Van Hecke again, and he put his foot in the ground for the Dutch international, even knowing it would cost him Luka Vuskovic going back the other way.
After enduring a lot of criticism at the start of the season because Vuskovic was playing so well for Brighton, De Zerbi has to be looking at everyone with a sense of vindication regarding the excellence of his proverbial prodigal son.
Van Hecke turned in a record performance in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, bossing the pitch with his passing while being unharried defensively, just as he was excellent in both regards in an even more impressive 2-0 win over rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Jan Paul van Hecke is a pillar now
Not even Roberto De Zerbi could have seen Jan Paul van Hecke becoming this much of a pillar in the defense, as he has made those around him better, especially compatriot Micky van de Ven, completely washing away any possible hint of regret at former Europa League hero and World Cup winner Cristian Romero heading over to La Liga in the summer window.
De Zerbi knew Van Hecke was amazing in the build up and would be important to his team tactically, but the Dutchman has become an even bigger contributor than that in terms of his leadership. And he gets better and better every week, particularly when it comes to his defensive quality. Van Hecke is better than he was advertised in the air and as a ball winner, and whlie he is not the fastest player, that's why he has Van de Ven to help cover for him.
The two have become quite the pairing, and Van Hecke is topping a few rating apps as the best overall player in the Premier League, in addition to leading the league in progressive passing and line breaking passing. De Zerbi knew Van Hecke would be a great player and important to his ideals at Tottenham Hotspur, but best in the league? A leader at the back just a couple of months in? Van Hecke is shattering expectations and has become more decisive than what De Zerbi must have envisioned.
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