Jan Paul van Hecke has delivered a frank assessment of Tottenham Hotspur's dismal start to the Premier League season, calling it unacceptable. The £52 million summer signing from Brighton has started all five league games but is yet to be part of a winning side, with the club currently bottom of the table with just two points.
Van Hecke, 26, voiced his frustration in an interview, directly addressing the team's performances. "We had imagined it would be different," he said. "The way we play and concede goals is unacceptable." He was particularly critical of the energy levels shown in the recent 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa, a match in which he scored a late consolation goal in the 89th minute. Reflecting on a key moment when Micky van de Ven was off the pitch receiving treatment, he added, "The way the energy drained away from the team is simply not right. You know you're down to 10 men."
Bottom of the table
Tottenham's position is stark. After five matches, they have no wins, two draws, and three defeats, leaving them 20th in the Premier League. They have scored only two goals while conceding eight, resulting in a goal difference of minus six. The loss to Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was their second consecutive defeat, following a 3-1 reverse at Liverpool.
Manager Robert De Zerbi is under immediate pressure to stop the slide. He has outlined plans to use the international break to work intensively with players who have remained at the club, including James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, on their physical condition and performance levels. De Zerbi stated he chose not to speak with those players initially to avoid saying nothing of substance.
Despite the club's struggles, Van Hecke received a personal boost with a call-up to the Netherlands squad by new national team manager Xavi Hernandez, who replaced Ronald Koeman. Hernandez called the defender to express his positive view of his selection and the attacking philosophy he wants to implement.
Attention now turns to halting this poor run of form. Tottenham's next match is a tough trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 10. United currently sit 12th in the table. The full schedule for the coming weeks is available on our fixtures page. For De Zerbi and his squad, that fixture represents a critical opportunity to change the narrative around their season.
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