November 5th 2024.
According to Dutch pundit Valentijn Driessen, Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke is the superior player compared to Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt as they both vie for a spot on the Netherlands national team. Van Hecke, who previously played for NAC Breda in the second-highest division in the Netherlands, caught the attention of Brighton and was signed by the club in September 2020. After successful loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers, Van Hecke returned to Brighton and formed a strong partnership with Lewis Dunk last season.
The 24-year-old has continued to impress for Brighton and was recently rewarded with his first senior cap for the Netherlands national team in September, coming on as a substitute for De Ligt in the 2-2 draw against Germany. In contrast, De Ligt has struggled since his move to Manchester United for a hefty fee of £42.9 million from Bayern Munich in the summer. Driessen believes that Van Hecke is currently a better option than De Ligt for the Dutch national team.
During the Kick Off podcast on De Telegraaf, Driessen expressed his admiration for Van Hecke's performance against Liverpool, stating that he was really impressed with his composure and decision-making on the ball. When asked if he believes Van Hecke is better than De Ligt, Driessen confidently replied, "Yes, one hundred per cent. On the ball, definitely. And in terms of defending, he is disciplined and doesn't make rash challenges or silly mistakes."
Although De Ligt showed signs of improvement in his recent match against Chelsea, Driessen noted that he still made a crucial error that almost cost his team a goal. In contrast, he praised Van Hecke for his solid performance against Liverpool. Driessen concluded by saying that he was thoroughly impressed with Van Hecke's abilities and believes he is a better option for the national team at the moment.
Despite the ongoing competition between the two players, it is clear that Van Hecke has caught the eye of many in the football world, including Driessen. As he continues to shine for Brighton, it will be interesting to see how he progresses in his career and if he can maintain his spot in the Dutch national team. On the other hand, De Ligt will need to work hard to prove himself and regain his position as one of the top defenders in the game.
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