Tottenham’s vision is becoming increasingly clear, and the influence of Roberto De Zerbi can already be seen in the club’s transfer strategy. The signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton is another indication of the type of football Tottenham want to play.
De Zerbi and van Hecke worked together in Brighton around 2023.
De Zerbi clearly values Van Hecke for his ability on the ball as much as, if not more than, his defensive qualities. The Dutchman is an excellent ball-playing centre-back, and Tottenham appear to see him as the ideal partner for Marko Sensi in the heart of defence.
The club have reportedly agreed a deal worth more than £55 million with Brighton, a significant fee considering Van Hecke’s contract with Brighton was entering its final year.
De Zerbi wanted a centre-back capable of building attacks from deep, which is why such a large portion of Tottenham’s budget has been invested in Van Hecke. However, there are legitimate questions about the defensive balance of the team. Van Hecke is a more complete footballer with the ball than he is without it, while Tottenham’s other defensive additions have also raised concerns regarding their defensive reliability.
When we consider Van Hecke’s mentality and defensive qualities, he is young and can make mistakes easily. Brighton conceded many goals, and he and Brighton’s defence were naïve. Even at Brighton, he has occasionally made costly mistakes, and Brighton’s defensive line has often looked vulnerable when exposed in transition. That naturally raises questions about whether Tottenham are prioritising technical ability over defensive stability.
Modern defenders have evolved significantly, and there is no doubt that being comfortable on the ball is a major advantage in today’s game. If a coach prefers centre-backs who can build attacks, progress possession, and contribute in the first phase of play, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach.
The problem arises when technical quality comes at the expense of defensive security. Van Hecke is an excellent footballer with the ball at his feet, but he is also a defender who has been prone to costly mistakes throughout his career. If Tottenham intend to use him as the right-sided centre-back, there are legitimate concerns about whether he can provide the stability that a vulnerable defensive line requires. Talent on the ball is important, but for a centre-back, reliability and consistency remain just as valuable.
The central back pair is crucial for each team in the world, and you can not make mistakes like that in that position.
Ven Hecke and Sensi will not work. Never played together.
Tottenham needs confidence on the back, not talent. In real terms, they need Romero if he is healthy and available. He is pure quality in the back.
Van Hecke’s best player qualities. Good sides, player profile, preferences, agility, and characteristics.
Van Hecke is undoubtedly one of the most talented young defenders in the Premier League. In modern football, centre-backs are expected to possess technical qualities that were once associated only with midfielders, and Van Hecke excels in that area.
His passing range, composure under pressure, and ability to progress the ball are exceptional.
With his technical ability, Van Hecke offers far more than traditional centre-back qualities. He is capable of playing as a wing-back, operating in a back three, or functioning as a conventional central defender.
“His versatility allows managers to rotate defensive structures during matches, a tactical concept that has become extremely popular in modern football. Players who can seamlessly switch positions without disrupting the team’s shape are among the most valuable assets in the contemporary game, and Van Hecke possesses exactly that profile.”
Van Hecke is much more than a solid centre-back. He is a modern footballer whose technical ability opens up a variety of tactical possibilities. Not only can he excel in central defence, but he also has the skill set to become an outstanding wing-back.
His comfort on the ball, intelligence in possession, and ability to progress play make him a unique profile, capable of impacting matches in ways that go far beyond traditional defending.
“But he has a very strong tendency to misread the ball or action, resulting in a direct goal. He and Brighton’s defence are often naïve, and we know how Brighton concedes many goals“
However, football matches are not won by technical quality alone. Defenders must also dominate their duels, protect space, and provide security when their team loses possession. Van Hecke’s aggressive style and occasional overcommitment in pressing situations could become a problem for a Tottenham side that was often very vulnerable defensively, as we know.
That is why there is a valid argument that Tottenham would have benefited more from strengthening other areas of the squad. Nobody disputes Van Hecke’s talent or potential, but a fragile defence sometimes needs certainty rather than additional technical quality. Tottenham’s errors are hurting more, and they need defensive security rather than unpredictability and a lack of agility.
I personally think this is a mistake.
A defender in the mould of Cristian Romero provides defensive security first and foremost, whereas Van Hecke represents a more ambitious and riskier profile.
A Tottenham move is ambitious.
Recent history shows how delicate defensive structures can be. Small changes at the back often have major consequences for the entire team. Building a successful defence requires patience, balance, and long-term planning.
Liverpool’s experience last summer should serve as a warning. The club changed both full-backs at the same time, and the consequences were immediate. Defensive chemistry disappeared, the team lost stability, and Liverpool spent the entire season trying to solve problems that had not existed before. Building a defence is a delicate process, and major changes often carry significant risks.
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