Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke is deserving of a call up to the Netherland senior squad in this international break and has proven he’s worth a shot.
That’s according to journalist Lentin Goodijk, who has praised the Brighton man on Voetbal International’s VI ZSM podcast.
Van Hecke has been a regular for Brighton since returning from a loan spell away from the club last summer.
He initially played a back up role under Roberto de Zerbi last season but was slowly integrated into the squad and is now a fully fledged first-team player, often a part of the Italian’s rotation.
He’s earned his place in the team too, impressing in the heart of their defence in the Premier League and Europe despite his youth.
The next big step for him will be earning his first international call up, having so far only made eight appearances for the Dutch U21s after making his debut in June 2022.
Injuries to Sven Botman and Micky van Ven means there could be space in Ronald Koeman’s squad, though, and Goodijk believes that it wouldn’t be surprising if the Brighton man was chosen.
“This is certainly a match in which eyes are on him and an opportunity to show himself,” he said regarding the Seagulls’ clash with Ajax in the Europa League.
“Of course, it wouldn’t be very strange (if he was called up). Normally that position is well occupied in the Dutch team, but there are now a lot of injuries.
“De Ligt, Botman, Van de Ven and Timber have of course been around for some time. Then you look at the group behind it and it really reaches a seriously high level, De Zerbi also says that. He is a good man marker, has the physical qualities and secretly also a really good pass.”
“That is perhaps his greatest quality. That tight pass between the lines. I would like to see him at that level.
“He has shown that he can keep up with the Dutch Juniors, so I am curious whether he can also join the Dutch national team. Maybe not immediately in the starting line-up but including him in the group would of course not be surprising.”
