Jan Paul van Hecke and Tottenham’s elite defense make me feel alive inside
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The story in brief
15-second readTottenham's defense has become elite, with Jan Paul van Hecke playing a key role, as reported by Hotspur HQ. The team has kept three clean sheets this Premier League season and allowed no more than one goal in six games. They have conceded 9.43 expected goals, ranking fifth in the Premier League for defensive solidity.
The full picture
Tottenham's defense has become elite, with Jan Paul van Hecke playing a key role, as reported by Hotspur HQ. The team has kept three clean sheets this Premier League season and allowed no more than one goal in six games. They have conceded 9.43 expected goals, ranking fifth in the Premier League for defensive solidity. Van Hecke's overall performance has been strong, despite not exceling in individual defensive metrics.
The improvement in Tottenham's defense is attributed to the absence of key players in their opening match against Brentford, including Pedro Porro and Mickey van de Ven. In the subsequent seven league games, Spurs conceded just 5.47 expected goals, with Van Hecke leading the resurgent defense. His stats indicate strong all-round performance, with high percentiles in passes completed, progressive passes, and progressive carries.
Van Hecke's ability to control possession is a major reason for the defense's solidity, according to Hotspur HQ. A notable example of his defensive prowess was a crucial header against Coventry City, which ended a threatening attack. Despite Tottenham's ongoing offensive issues, their stout defense, led by Van Hecke, gives them a chance to win games, even when their attack is not performing well.
At a glance
- Reporting status
- Reported
- Original publisher
- Hotspur HQ ↗
- Source published
- Clubs covered
- Tottenham
Attributed publisher reporting. Kickjolly has not independently confirmed the claim.
Source context
After Tottenham’s improbable 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the cameras panned to a beaming Jan Paul van Hecke. The centre-back had just led Tottenham to another clean sheet, their third this Premier League season, and it was the sixth game in which Spurs have allowed no more than one goal. This much is now clear: Tottenham have an elite defense, and I don’t know how to handle the resulting positive emotions. Overall, Spurs have conceded 9.43 expected goals, good for a 1.35 xGC per 90 minutes. That solid performance places them as the fifth-stingiest defense in the Premier League. But back out their horrific opening day performance against Brentford and Tottenham are suddenly elite.
Source excerpt · Hotspur HQ
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