“How does it feel to be a player worth €60 million?” That question brought a smile to Jean-Paul van Hecke’s face. “It’s always difficult to comment on such figures. I am primarily pleased with what this transfer brings to my former club and my youth academy. For me, however, it means nothing, it won’t change who I am, although I am incredibly proud to sign with one of England’s biggest clubs.”

The defender, who recently completed his move from Brighton to Tottenham this week, appeared at the press conference in Houston with a black eye. This injury, however, was not attributed to national team coach Ronald Koeman, who sat beside him. Van Hecke emphasized his unwavering focus on the upcoming match. “Firstly, my complete concentration is on this game and nothing else. This transfer isn’t a distraction; I’m not impacted, I’m fully connected to the Netherlands squad. To be clear, I wasn’t involved all day in finalizing the transfer. The coach naturally gave me the necessary time to handle it, but that was all.”

He acknowledges the potential scrutiny if his performance against Sweden, featuring forwards like Isak and Gyökeres whom he has faced in the Premier League, were to be subpar, especially after the 2-2 draw against Japan in the opening match. However, he performed well in the initial fixture and confidently stated he has compartmentalized his busy week. “This transfer marks a significant step in my career; I’m joining one of the biggest clubs in England. It truly boosts my confidence, and now I am entirely focused on the Netherlands. Being here is truly an amazing experience; I am so proud to be part of this team! I hope we will play many more matches in this World Cup.”

At 26 years old, Van Hecke is participating in his first major international tournament and is determined to make a strong impact. Following the tournament, he anticipates a reunion with some familiar faces at Tottenham, including former Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi, under whom he played for two seasons in southern England (2022-2024). He also looks forward to potentially playing alongside fellow Dutch players Xavi Simons (absent from this World Cup due to injury) and defender Micky van de Ven. However, Van de Ven’s future is uncertain, with interest from clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona.