Tottenham Hotspur dealt another injury blow on international duty | OneFootball

Tottenham Injury Blow as Jan Paul van Hecke Withdraws from Netherlands Squad

Tottenham have another problem to deal with. Jan Paul van Hecke has pulled out of the Netherlands squad after cutting short training on Wednesday, adding to a growing injury list for Roberto De Zerbi.

The centre-back, signed from Brighton for £52 million this summer, has settled quickly and become a regular in Tottenham’s back line. That is why this matters. Spurs did not buy him to sit in the treatment room, and with several first-team players already unavailable, another defensive concern is the last thing De Zerbi needs.

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Van Hecke Injury Adds to Tottenham Concerns

Van Hecke took part in the early stages of an open Netherlands training session in Zeist before stopping. He was then seen speaking with the coaching staff and taking a seat in the dugout. Reports in the Dutch media said his session lasted only seven minutes.

The official update then followed: “Jan Paul van Hecke won’t travel to Thessaloniki with the squad.

That rules him out of the Nations League match against Greece, as well as the return game against Serbia four days later.

Netherlands Defence Forced Into Change

Van Hecke had started alongside Virgil van Dijk in both Netherlands fixtures during this break, the draw with Germany and the win over Serbia. He played 90 minutes in both games, which suggests the issue was either managed badly or simply worsened after the Serbia match.

Jurrien Timber is now among the options to come into the Netherlands defence against Greece.

Spurs Injury List Keeps Growing

This is not an isolated issue. Tottenham are already managing injuries to Pedro Porro, Dejan Kulusevski and Mykhailo Mudryk. Van Hecke now joins that queue, and that means De Zerbi’s squad depth will be tested earlier than planned.

The Netherlands camp has had similar problems. Brian Brobbey, Cody Gakpo and Lutsharel Geertruida have also withdrawn during the international window.

For Tottenham, the concern is simple. They need clarity on the Van Hecke injury, and they need it quickly.