Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has a big decision to make this summerplaceholder image
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has a big decision to make this summer | Getty Images
Brighton and Hove Albion transfer and contract news
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is expected to be a man in demand this summer.
The 25-year-old Netherlands international has been excellent for Fabian Hurzeler this term and is one of the most improved defenders in the Premier League.
Van Hecke has made 29 starts from his 29 top flight outings this term with three goals and an assist. Brighton’s player of the year has once again been a consistent performer and is expected to represent his country this summer at the World Cup.
Newcastle and Tottenham have previously registered interest in the Brighton man and the World Cup will place him in the shop window even further.
The former NAC Breda man will have one-year remaining on his contract after this season and this summer is expected to be crunch time. Will the ambitious Dutchman sign a new contract or look elsewhere? A huge offer of £60m-plus would certainly test Brighton’s resolve.
"I love Jan Paul,” said Hurzeler ahead of today’s clash with Burnley. “I love his attitude, how he works for the team, I love his mentality of winning.
“He has a big impact on his team-mates, therefore I would love to continue working with him, because we have a really good relationship.
“I also like some perspective from the players regarding their future. We will sit together, try to make a decision that is best for the club, that is best for the player.
“Jan Paul knows what he has with Brighton. He's always had the opportunity to play, to grow, to make the next step.
“We hope to make the nest step together, to be successful with him. This will be our main challenge and then we see how it's going."
Van Hecke joined Brighton in 2020 for around £2m and had successful loan spells with Heerenveen and then Blackburn. He has made 124 appearances for Brighton and has represented his country on 10 occasions.
A future Brighton captain?
Today’s clash at Burnley will be his 100th Premier League appearance and if he stays, Hurzeler sees him as a future captain.
“Yes, definitely,” said the German head coach. “I think his improvement is impressive.
“He already played on a high level last season, but this season he made another step.
“He improved his consistency. He improved, for me, especially out of possession, how he's committed to defend forward, how he uses body in a very effective way to defend against very athletic players.
“He's very good in keeping a structure in a defensive shape. And on top of that he's a great leader.
“He's leading by performance, he's a role model for that because every training session he’s a hundred percent, every game he’s a hundred percent.
“He has all the characters inside of him to be a future leader for this club.”
Continue Reading