JAN PAUL VAN HECKE NEWS

Forced off late after collision Van Hecke was forced off late in Saturday's 4-2 defeat against Brentford after a head collision. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution but has now been discharged and is on...

Impact Van Hecke couldn't finish Saturday's game and was forced off in the 89th minute due to a head collision that looked serious. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution and has since been discharged and allowed to return home. That said, he will likely be monitored in the coming days in case a concussion protocol needs to be followed. If an issue is revealed and he is unable to feature in the near future, Eiran Cashin is expected to see increased playing time.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

No longer suspended Paul van Hecke is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward.

Impact Paul van Hecke is back from his suspension after sitting out Saturday's contest, leaving him as an option to face Brentford next contest. He is a regular starter and will be expected to see that spot back immediately, earning the start in 32 of his 33 appearances this campaign.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Sent off Saturday Paul van Hecke was shown a red card in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace.

Impact Paul van Hecke received two yellow cards Saturday, leading to his sending off in extra time. This will leave him suspended for Saturday's match against Leicester City on April 12, returning to face Brentford on April 19. This will force a change and the club may be forced to play someone out of position, as the defense is full of injuries, with only Joey Veltman (foot) possibly expected to return against Leicester.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in win van Hecke scored in Brighton & Hove Albion's 2-1 win over Fulham Saturday. He also had two tackles and six clearances.

Impact The defender was a force on both sides of the pitch, scoring and keeping Fulham at bay in a crucial win. van Hecke should be busy on the defensive end next Saturday against a Manchester City team which has scored 53 goals in league play this season.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Two clearances in win van Hecke had one tackle (one won), two clearances and one interception in Friday's 3-0 win versus Chelsea.

Impact Van Hecke did not need to do much Friday to help keep the clean sheet for Brighton against Chelsea. He's recorded 20 clearances in the last six PL games, giving him 79 which surpasses his career high in the Premier League.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Makes eight clearances Van Hecke registered eight clearances in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus West Ham United.

Impact Van Hecke was able to collecting 8+ clearances for the second time in four matches, giving him an an average of 3.3 per game. The defender is also on a nine match starting streak, logging in 38 clearances, 11 tackles and nine blocks in that span.

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Set for return Van Hecke (groin) is an option for Saturday's match against Newcastle, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "Jan Paul will be an option."

Impact Van Hecke is set for a return after missing the club's last two matches due to groin issues. This is positive news for the club, as he did start in all five matches before his injury. That said, he will likely assume the starting role on Saturday, although the club may be cautious and start with him on the bench.

OCTOBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Injury downplayed Van Hecke (groin) has had his injury downplayed, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "In terms of van Hecke I don't think his injury is that bad but you go from week to week."

Impact Van Hecke was announced to be out for around six weeks due to a groin issue a few days ago but is already receiving a positive update, with their manager claiming the injury isn't as bad as first thought. However, he will still at least miss a decent portion of time, as a month out seems to be the minimum for the defender. Either way, he will look for a quick return, as he did start in every match he was available for before his injury.

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out around six weeks Van Hecke is expected to miss around six weeks after suffering a groin injury, according to the player, per Stef Geerts of ESPN. "It takes a while to wait and see how the rehabilit...

Impact Van Hecke will be sitting out the international break and an additional few weeks following the break after suffering a somewhat serious groin issue. He picked up the injury two matches ago, with the pain starting against Nottingham Forest. He had started in all matches leading up to his injury, so this will force a change, with Igor or Adam Webster as likely replacements. He will eye a return around mid-November, that is if he suffers no setbacks in his recovery process.

OCTOBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Injured for Chelsea match van Hecke was not available to face Chelsea on Sunday due to muscle injury reports Andy Naylor of the Athletic.

Impact van Hecke missed the match after picking up an injury in the buildup. More information about the extent of the defender's injury should be available in the buildup to next week's clash against Tottenham.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in draw van Hecke assisted once to go with one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Nottingham Forest.

Impact van Hecke provided a cross that was headed in by Jack Hinshelwood to tie the score at 1-1 in the 42nd minute of play. The assist marked the first of the season for van Hecke, accounting also for his first chance created in five games played. On the defensive side, he recorded an interception for a second straight outing, while this also marked his second consecutive game without a tackle won.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sees time in pre-season Van Hecke (hamstring) played 45 minutes in their pre-season friendly against the Kashima Antlers.

Impact Van Hecke finished out last season with a hamstring issue after missing the club's last game of the season. However, he appears to be fit again, as he did get time in their friendly, recording 45 minutes in the first half. That said, the defender should be considered fit for the start of the campaign, likely to be an everyday starter after getting the start in 26 games last season.

JULY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out for finale Paul van Hecke (hamstring) won't be an option for Sunday's clash with Manchester United, according to manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Impact Paul van Hecke suffered a hamstring injury and missed two matches before being officially ruled out for the season. The defender is expected to make a full return before pre-season. Paul van Hecke finishes the season with 28 appearances (26 starts), his first season with a full time role in the starting XI.

MAY 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with hamstring injury Van Hecke didn't play Sunday against Bournemouth due to a hamstring injury. "I'm not sure for how long or how many games, but JP can't play at Bournemouth," manager Roberto de Zerb...

Impact Hamstring injuries are often tricky, and the fact that the manager is talking about potentially missing multiple could result in the defender not playing in the final games of the season. Van Hecke has been a regular for Brighton this season, starting in 26 of his 28 Premier League appearances.

APRIL 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Solid defensively Van Hecke generated four tackles (one won), three clearances and three interceptions in Thursday's 4-0 defeat versus Manchester City.

Impact Van Hecke saw a great match Thursday, most likely due to Manchester City's constant attack, as all of his contributions came in the defense. He ended his 90 minutes of play, notching four tackles, three interceptions and three clearances, being the only defender to do much in the loss. He has nowstarted in 26 of his 28 league appearances this campaign, notching 30 interceptions, 47 tackles and 74 clearances in those games.

APRIL 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Earns starting role Van Hecke has found himself in a starting role in his second season in the Premier League, having started in 24 of the club's 31 matches this campaign.

Impact Van Hecke started his career in Brighton last season, not seeing much time after transferring from Blackburn, only having gained eight appearances. However, he is now a regular sight on the field, registering 28 interceptions, 38 tackles and 78 clearances in his 26 appearances this campaign. The defender should remain in this position for most of the club's matches moving forward and will hope to stay in this role for a couple more seasons after inking a contract through 2027 in December.

FEBRUARY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signs through 2027 Paul van Hecke signed a contract extension through 2027, Brighton announced.

Impact van Hecke signed the contract extension through 2027, his second extension in five months. The defender has really taken a step forward in 2023/24 and this contract is a reward for that strong form and big role. van Hecke will hope to build on that role moving forward with the new long-term deal.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available for return van Hecke is set to return from a one-match Europa League ban.

Impact van Hecke was left sidelined during a 1-0 win over AEK and is now eligible to return. The defender has seen consistent starting minutes of late and with a plethora of injuries elsewhere in the starting XI there's no reason to think his starting role will dwindle.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting again van Hecke kept a clean sheet during Thursday's 2-0 win over Ajax.

Impact van Hecke has been in and out of the starting XI, though he has been a guaranteed starter in the Europa League. The center-back has gone unused four times and appeared off the bench twice, as he continues to split minutes with Adam Webster. Neither option likes to get forward aggressively and both have limited upside offensively in general.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Splitting starts Van Hecke has started two of the club's first four contests with Adam Webster featuring in the other two matches.

Impact Van Hecke has registered one shot (on target), eight clearances and four blocks in his two matches. Originally, Webster was coming off an injury but van Hecke got the start against Newcastle United on Saturday. The start of the Europa League Group Stage will likely see the pair of central defenders continue to share the workload.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pens contract extension Van Hecke signed a contract extension with Brighton, Brighton announced Thursday.

Impact Van Hecke will spend at least one more season with The Seagulls, and he could see an uptick in playing time after appearing in the final four matches of the Premier League due to injuries elsewhere. That said with everyone fit and available Van Hecke could be left as a more rotational option behind Levi Colwill, Joel Veltman and Adam Webster.

JULY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes second start Van Hecke got the start and made four blocks during Thursday's 4-1 loss to Newcastle.

Impact Van Hecke made just his second start in the Premier League and fifth appearance Thursday. The defender is buried at the bottom of the depth chart, only starting due to injuries to Levi Colwill (undisclosed), Joel Veltman (hamstring), and Adam Webster (strain). Van Hecke could see more starting time to close out the Premier League due to those same injuries elsewhere in the team.

MAY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE