Jan Paul van Hecke
25-Year-Old
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Van Hecke consistently posted strong defensive statistics during 2024/25. From his 34 appearances (33 starts), he contributed to seven clean sheets and managed to get on the scoresheet once, an slight improvement from last season. The physical Dutch defender's key strengths are ground duels and passing, and when healthy, it's hard to see him losing his role under Fabian Hurzeler. The goal for Brighton going forward is more cohesion defensively leading to more clean sheets, which would help Van Hecke's upside as a center-back.
Substitution planned
van Hecke was substituted in the 61st minute of Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Aston Villa as part of a planned precaution, coach Fabian Hurzeler told the media, according to Sussex Express. "We know that he could not play for 90 minutes, so that was the normal procedure. We had to take him out after 60, 65. That was the maximum of his playing time, what he was capable of doing. So therefore we knew that we have to take him off."
ANALYSIS
van Hecke sat out the clash with Crystal Palace nursing a hamstring issue, but he was back in the mix Wednesday against Aston Villa. The plan was always to cap him at around 60 minutes, with the staff taking a cautious approach to protect one of the Seagulls' defensive anchors and avoid any long-term setback. He's good to go moving forward, but he's still not at full match fitness, so a complete 90-minute shift might be a stretch for now. If he needs to be managed or starts from the bench in the coming fixtures, expect Olivier Boscagli to slot into the backline and fill the void.
van Hecke sat out the clash with Crystal Palace nursing a hamstring issue, but he was back in the mix Wednesday against Aston Villa. The plan was always to cap him at around 60 minutes, with the staff taking a cautious approach to protect one of the Seagulls' defensive anchors and avoid any long-term setback. He's good to go moving forward, but he's still not at full match fitness, so a complete 90-minute shift might be a stretch for now. If he needs to be managed or starts from the bench in the coming fixtures, expect Olivier Boscagli to slot into the backline and fill the void.
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Subs off Wednesday
Van Hecke was replaced after dealing with a discomfort in the second half of Wednesday's meeting with Aston Villa.
ANALYSIS
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Starts in defense
Van Hecke (hamstring) is in the starting XI for Wednesday's match against Aston Villa.
ANALYSIS
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Option to face Villa
Van Hecke (hamstring) is an option for Wednesday's match against Aston Villa, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler, per Chris Nightingale of Sky Sports.
ANALYSIS
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Suffers small hamstring issue
van Hecke missed Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace due to a small problem with his hamstring, coach Fabian Hurzeler said to the media, according to Sussex Express. "Small problem with hamstring. Precautionary."
ANALYSIS
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Out Sunday
Van Hecke is out for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace, according to Andy Naylor of The Athletic.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Spurs could move for him
Tottenham are willing to wait until next summer to make a move to sign van Hecke, according to Football Insider.
ANALYSIS
The Spurs are looking to sign a third top-tier center-back to play alongside Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, and it seems van Hecke is the top target. Brighton aren't keen on parting ways with the Dutchman midway through the season, however, so it seems the Spurs are willing to wait until the summer of 2026 to make a move for him.
The Spurs are looking to sign a third top-tier center-back to play alongside Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, and it seems van Hecke is the top target. Brighton aren't keen on parting ways with the Dutchman midway through the season, however, so it seems the Spurs are willing to wait until the summer of 2026 to make a move for him.