Jan Paul van Hecke says he feels ready for the new Premier League season after completing 70 minutes in Tottenham’s latest pre-season outing.
Tottenham Hotspur summer signing Jan Paul van Hecke has expressed his satisfaction after making his first extended appearance for the club, declaring himself fully prepared for the challenges of the upcoming campaign.
In post-match comments shared by fan outlet Spurs Army on X, the 26-year-old Dutch international center-back reflected on stepping onto the pitch for a 70-minute stint against Getafe as part of his pre-season build-up.
After receiving an extended summer rest following international duty, Van Hecke noted that completing a substantial workload was vital in regaining his sharpness and match rhythm:
“Today I played 70 minutes, and I feel good. I had a short break, but now I feel ready to get started and be ready for the big games.”
The defender highlighted that his body responded well to the physical demands of Roberto De Zerbi’s defensive setup, reassuring coaching staff that his pre-season conditioning remains right on track ahead of the Premier League opener.
Pride in Wearing the Spurs Shirt for the Premier League Season
Having previously played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a visiting player during his time at Brighton, Van Hecke shared his excitement about experiencing the environment as a home player:
“I look really forward to that [the upcoming season]. Of course, I’ve been there, but with another team, so now with the Spurs shirt, so that’s going to be really nice. I think now fitness is good.”
The former Brighton defender arrived in North London in a £52 million deal to reinforce Tottenham’s backline alongside international teammate Micky van de Ven.
Van Hecke’s swift integration into the squad has been accelerated by his existing relationship with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, having previously spent two seasons developing under the Italian manager.
With his first 70 minutes successfully completed, Van Hecke is positioned to compete directly for a starting spot in Tottenham’s central defense as De Zerbi finalizes his tactical plans for the new campaign.
