As Brighton and Hove Albion approach the end of another season, it seems the inevitable is edging ever closer. Jan Paul van Hecke is attracting serious interest from clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Newcastle United and of course Chelsea.
Recent reports suggest the 25-year-old is not interested in renewing his contract, with multiple extension offers already turned down. With his current deal running until 2027, Brighton could be forced into a decision this summer to avoid his value dropping.
A fee in the region of £50 million is suggested to be enough to force Brighton’s hand but if van Hecke does leave, the Albion will need to find a replacement for one of the most important profiles in their playing system.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrighton’s build-up is built on control under pressure. In a system that ranks among the most aggressive pressing environments across Europe, their centre-backs are required to do far more than defend. They must receive and progress, often in the most difficult moments of a phase. That’s where van Hecke stands out.
Across the 2025/26 Premier League season, van Hecke has been one of the most involved centre-backs in the division. He ranks in the top 7% for touches (2,475) and top 6% for successful passes (1,784), highlighting just how central he is to Brighton’s first phase.
The Dutchman also ranks in the top 2% for progressive passes and top 1% for progressive carries, underlining his role as a genuine line-breaker.
His 87% pass completion suggests control, but the context matters. He combines that efficiency with risk, consistently attempting forward passes rather than recycling possession sideways. Plus, despite his involvement and intent, he has only been dispossessed just three times all season, an exceptionally low figure for a player operating in such high-pressure zones.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat makes van Hecke so valuable at Brighton?
Van Hecke’s importance goes beyond traditional centre-back metrics. He doesn’t always dominate defensively in the way some elite stoppers do, but that’s not his primary role.
Instead, his value lies in what he enables. Brighton are one of the most aggressively pressed sides in Europe, meaning build-up phases are rarely comfortable. In those moments, van Hecke provides composure and consistency in progression.
Not many in the league progress the ball the way van Hecke can and his contributions going forward go far beyond just starting moves. He has created 11 chances and completed 10 crosses, the most among Premier League centre-backs. For a centre-half, that level of output is incredibly rare.
Embed from Getty ImagesHow to find a suitable replacement
Replacing van Hecke wouldn’t be about finding a better defender. It would be about finding a player capable of replicating his decision-making under pressure and progressive output.
To identify potential replacements, a player profile was created based on the following key metrics:
- Progressive passes
- Progressive carries
- Pass volume and involvement
- Ball security (dispossessions)
- Creative output (chances created, crosses)
Crucially, the player also needs to be under 26 years old, play regular minutes in a comparable system, and be realistically attainable this summer (transfer value below £40 million).
Embed from Getty ImagesThe internal option: Noel Atom (Brighton U21s)
If Brighton do decide to look internally, allow me to try and convince you with a rouge shout in Noel Atom from the U21s. It’s a slightly obscure call at senior level, but he fits the Brighton blueprint more than it might initially appear.
The club’s recruitment model has always leaned towards the next generation stepping up when the pathway is clear, and Atom is arguably the closest academy profile to van Hecke in terms of progression profile and comfort in possession.
Across 1,016 minutes in PL2 this season, Atom has shown exactly why he’s being quietly tracked within the club. His 754 successful passes at a 90.6% completion rate point to a defender who is secure under pressure, while his 37 accurate long balls suggest he’s not afraid to play forward when the opportunity opens up.
Defensively, there’s a lot to like too. Atom has won 56.9% of his duels and 64.5% of his aerial battles, alongside 10 interceptions and 14 tackles. He also ranks highly for recoveries (38) and clearances (49), showing he can cope with repeated defensive phases rather than just building play in comfortable spells.
Of course, this would be a leap. PL2 dominance does not translate to Premier League intensity, but the club have shown before they are willing to trust youth when the profile fits the system. Jack Hinshelwood is an obvious example of an academy graduate thrown into the deep end and hasn’t looked out of place since.
That said, there are more conservative internal shouts. Eiran Cashin and Diego Coppola have both been mentioned in discussions around squad depth, but neither quite match van Hecke’s on-ball authority. Both players lean more towards traditional defending rather than the progressive build-up role Brighton rely on from their centre-backs.
Embed from Getty ImagesExternal option one: Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Arthur Theate is the closest stylistic match to van Hecke currently available and valued at £17.5 million according to Transfermarkt.
The 25-year-old operates as a proactive, front-foot defender who looks to play forward early and often. Like van Hecke, he is comfortable receiving under pressure and progressing the ball through central areas rather than avoiding risk.
Statistically, Theate aligns with van Hecke superbly, ranking highly for progressive passing volume, forward distribution and involvement in build-up phases.
What stands out most though when watching Theate is his intent. Much like van Hecke, Theate actively looks to break lines and create momentum. That approach also brings similar trade-offs, with both players not being elite in duels and occasionally exposed in transition.
However, within Brighton’s system, that risk is part of the design.
Embed from Getty ImagesExternal option two: Strahinja Pavlovic (AC Milan)
AC Milan’s Strahinja Pavlovic offers a slightly different interpretation of the same role but still aligns closely with Brighton’s system. He is currently valued at around £30 million, so would be a pricier option compared to Theate.
The 24-year-old Serbian is an aggressive, front-foot defender who is comfortable stepping into midfield and progressing play. While naturally left-footed, he has shown the ability to operate across the back line, adding a layer of tactical flexibility.
While Pavlovic is more physically dominant and slightly less refined in possession, he still has strong output for progressive passing numbers and is confident carrying the ball into midfield.
But that defensive aggression can be an asset in Brighton’s high-intensity structure, particularly when dealing with transitions after possession is lost.
Embed from Getty ImagesConclusion
Replacing van Hecke won’t just be about splashing the £50 million the club receive on any old centre-back. There’s a role to replace in the entire system, and a vital one at that.
His influence isn’t always obvious, but it is constant. From the first pass out of defence to the final third, he plays a role in shaping how Brighton control matches under pressure.
Replacing that profile is difficult and no option will be a perfect replacement for van Hecke, because the Dutchman is a rarity. But if Brighton are to sell up this summer, finding someone who can operate under pressure in the same way will be essential.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Martin
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