Jan Paul van Hecke
BHANetherlands
Right
Jun 8, 2000
25
6'2"
174 lb
CB
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Ball-Playing Centre Back
BrightonStrong defensive display
van Hecke registered one cross (zero accurate) and six clearances in Saturday's 2-0 win against Brentford.
Analysis: Van Hecke delivered an excellent defensive performance to help his side keep a clean sheet in Saturday's win over Brentford, recording six clearances and a season-high four interceptions. The defender remains an undisputed starter in the back line, having started 26 of his 27 appearances across all competitions this season. He has totaled 33 tackles and 29 interceptions, while also adding three goals and two assists, rare offensive production for a central defender.
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.
Subs off Wednesday
Van Hecke was replaced after dealing with a discomfort in the second half of Wednesday's meeting with Aston Villa.
Analysis: Van Hecke played 61 minutes in his return from a minor issue, but it's unclear if he suffered a setback or was subbed off as a precaution. The defender will continue to work on his fitness while he looks to get back to playing 90 minutes per game. Otherwise, Olivier Boscagli could be somewhat involved in his place.
Starts in defense
Van Hecke (hamstring) is in the starting XI for Wednesday's match against Aston Villa.
Analysis: Van Hecke is back with the team as expected after his injury, as the defender is now fit for a starting role immediately after his hamstring issue. He has now started in all but three games this season, likely to maintain the spot.
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: Van Hecke is returning to play after only one game out, with the defender cleared for midweek action. That said, the defender should almost immediately return to a starting role, as he has only missed one start all season when an option thus far. He has bagged three goals and two assists this season despite his defensive position, likely to start alongside Lewis Dunk moving forward.
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: van Hecke was held out as a precaution in Sunday's loss to Palace after picking up a minor hamstring issue. The center-back will be evaluated ahead of Wednesday's matchup with Aston Villa to determine whether he's fit to be included in the squad. If the issue forces him to miss another outing, Olivier Boscagli is expected to get another start against the Villains.
Out Sunday
Van Hecke is out for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace, according to Andy Naylor of The Athletic.
Analysis: Van Hecke is out for Sunday's match with an undisclosed injury, with the club giving little on his situation, leaving a return up in the air. This does force a change in the back, with Olivier Boscagli starting in his place. The exact issue or return date for the defender is still unknown, likely with more known after the match.
Assists late equaliser
van Hecke assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and three chances created in Monday's 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 77th minute.
Analysis: van Hecke used his threat in the box from set pieces to chest the ball down to Charalampos Kostoulas, who was able to bicycle kick the ball into the top corner for a late equaliser. He has scored three goals and provided two assists so far this season. In this game he created three chances, his most in any game this season.
Starting against Arsenal
Van Hecke (illness) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Arsenal.
Analysis: Van Hecke was widely expected to be available for this clash against the Gunners, so it's not surprising to see him slot in his regular center-back role. Van Hecke will play at the heart of the defense next to Lewis Dunk, and both will have their hands full trying to deal with the threat of Viktor Gyokeres and the rest of the Arsenal attacking line.
Should be back available
Van Hecke (illness) is expected to train on Wednesday and should be back available for Saturday's clash against Arsenal, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to The Argus.
Analysis: Van Hecke missed the last game against Sunderland due to illness but should return in team training on Wednesday and be an option for Saturday's clash against Arsenal as he will have a few days to be back fit. This is great news for the Seagulls since he is an undisputed starter for the club and will likely return directly to the starting squad against the Gunners if fit enough to do so.
Dealing with illness
Van Hecke (illness) is not available for Saturday's clash against Sunderland, according to Andy Naylor from The Athletic.
Analysis: Van Hecke is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Sunderland due to suffering from an illness. The center-back will hope to recover in time for next week's fixture against Arsenal, while his absence is forcing a change in the starting XI, with both Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola pairing for the first time in the Premier League due to the absence of Lewis Dunk for suspension.
Assists equalizer Sunday
van Hecke assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 1-1 draw against West Ham United.
Analysis: van Hecke set up Georginio Rutter's strike in the 91st minute, a goal which tied the match at 1-1 and earned an important point for Brighton. It marked his first assist of the season to go along with his three goals. It came on one of his season-high two chances created, and he also set a season high with three crosses. He played the full 90 minutes in his 15th consecutive match to start the season.
Scores brace in defeat
van Hecke scored two goals to go with three shots (three on goal) in Wednesday's 4-3 loss versus Aston Villa.
Analysis: van Hecke opened the scoring in the 9th minute when he punished Marco Bizot's misjudgement of a corner, forcing the ball over the line from close range. He then dragged Brighton back into the game at 4-2 down, drilling a low finish from just inside the box in the 83rd minute. Defensively he contributed to a season high three interceptions but his offensive stats were the most impressive ones on Wednesday as he targeted all of his three shots, an impressive outing as a center-back. van Hecke has now scored three goals in the Premier League, a career high in a senior league for the defender.
Two shots for draw
van Hecke had two shots (one on goal) in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 91st minute.
Analysis: van Hecke took a pair of shots before being shown a yellow card during Sunday's draw. It was a cagey affair from start to finish and van Hecke ended up with the clean sheet at the end of a slow match. van Hecke's value comes from his work defensively as he's unlikely to be any sort of offensive contributor for the most part.
Scores late header
van Hecke scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Wolverhampton.
Analysis: van Hecke's header late in the second half Sunday brought Brighton level and helped them earn a share of the spoils in the 1-1 draw versus Wolves. In addition to his goal contribution the defender added one tackle (one won), one clearance and two interceptions to the defensive effort across his 90 minute shift. van Hecke has played every minute of Brighton's first seven league fixtures.
Scores own goal Saturday
van Hecke registered an own goal, one tackle (one won), 10 clearances and one interception in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus Tottenham Hotspur.
Analysis: van Hecke scored the equalizing goal Saturday, he just happened to do so for the wrong team. A threatening Mohammed Kudus cross deflected off van Hecke in the 82nd minute, and there wasn't much he could have done to avoid the unlucky bounce. Outside of that he played well on the defensive end, winning one tackle, intercepting one pass and making 10 clearances across his full 90 minutes of action.
Forced off due to nosebleed
van Hecke was forced off in the 87th minute of Thursday's 1-1 draw against Poland due to a nosebleed, according to Omroep Zeeland.
Analysis: van Hecke had a poor outing in Thursday's draw against Poland as he was reportedly very slow in the backline under coach Ronald Koeman and ended the game on a negative note after being forced off late due to a nosebleed following a challenge with an opponent. That issue should not be serious and the defender will likely be available for upcoming fixtures.
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