Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 3:00 PM• Noel Korteweg

Jan Paul van Hecke was close to a rental period at Feyenoord last winter, the 22-year-old defender says in conversation with Football International. Van Hecke, who is under contract with Brighton & Hove Albion in England, has called Arne Slot a few times. “We had very good conversations and he convinced me to come to Feyenoord.”

Feyenoord was looking for a (temporary) replacement for the seriously injured Gernot Trauner last winter. The team from Rotterdam eventually reinforced themselves with Neraysho Kasanwirjo from FC Groningen, but it was close to Van Hecke finishing the season in De Kuip. “Slot had called me a few times. We had very good conversations and he convinced me to come to Feyenoord. They wanted to hire me because Trauner was injured.”

Van Hecke had a good feeling about Feyenoord and Slot. “Because he also wanted to bring me to AZ as a player from NAC Breda. Slot had watched several of my matches and came up with a good analysis. He thought I was much improved and not as grumpy as I used to be. He saw that I had become stronger on the ball.” Slot insisted on a Dutchman, says Van Hecke. “Then you think: a top club, at the top of the Eredivisie, still active in the cup tournament and they play European football…”

“If you can play there, it gives a boost,” the defender continues. In the end, Brighton put a stop to the transfer. “The club didn’t want it. Then you can jump high or low, but it’s not going to happen.” Van Hecke was ultimately at peace with that. “Now you see what is happening. I’m getting closer and closer, we’re going to play more games with Brighton, fight for the Champions League and be in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Then I’m just in a good place.”