Brighton man not pushing for transfer despite big De Zerbi praise – Ambitions won't lead to immediate Seagulls exit

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Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke has said he has big plans for the future, either with the Seagulls or elsewhere.

The defender has been speaking to PZC in the Netherlands about his career to date, his rise over the past 18 months and what may come in the future.

It's been a busy period for the 24-year-old, who is now a first-team regular for Brighton in the Premier League and a fully-fledged member of Ronald Koeman's Netherlands squad.

He's been with the Seagulls since 2020 but after loans at the likes of Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers, returned to the club in 2022.

He spent his first season as a part of the squad before then establishing himself in the first team the following year under Roberto de Zerbi. The Italian manager was a big fan of him and the progress he made, with Van Hecke revealing the former Brighton manager made that clear when talking to him.

"I am firmly convinced that if you always perform, at some point a trainer will come who will like you," he said.

"I’ve had trainers who didn’t see it in me. But I have always continued to train hard, have shown a good mentality, have continued to behave well and then you will automatically improve.

'I think you are one of the best central defenders in the Premier League at the moment,' he (De Zerbi) once said. I saw my fellow players looking at me. De Zerbi knew he could do that to me. Other players may start to miss their mark after such a comment. He wasn’t afraid of that with me."

Van Hecke has continued his steady rise under De Zerbi's successor Fabian Hürzeler this season, with 15 appearances in all competitions so far and a regular first-team place.

That's seen him earn recognition from the Netherlands, who brought him into the fold back in September and handed him his debut at half time in the 2-2 with Germany. He's since played 90 minutes in a 4-0 win over Hungary.

There's also been transfer speculation, with Italia side Napoli credited with an interest earlier this month as they plan for the January transfer window.

Van Hecke is paying no attention to that sort of thing, but admits he is highly ambitious and wants to win things, either with Brighton or somewhere else.

“I have noticed lately that opponents are increasingly trying to pin me down. We have to find a solution for that. I think I am a player who can make his mark when I get the ball. I know what my level is," he added.

“It’s not like I really have a plan in mind. Of course, I also hope to one day play at the absolute top and win prizes. Maybe with Brighton, you don’t know. I am ambitious, but I don’t think next year I really have to go to such and such a club.

"I’m in a good place here and if something comes up later, we’ll think about it carefully. The right feeling is important to me. I also think players should appreciate where they are. And if you can take the next step, you should think about it carefully."

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