Why Jan Paul van Hecke’s numbers explain Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham desperation

Roberto De Zerbi has been managing Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke once again following his move from Brighton.

The Italian manager had worked with the Dutchman back at Brighton prior to departing for Marseille.

With De Zerbi back in England with Spurs, he has opted to bring the 26-year-old back under his wing.

Tottenham will be hoping for a much better domestic campaign than the last two seasons.

Back to back 17th place finishes have been far from ideal for the Lilywhites.

But as van Hecke gears up for his first season in N17, the number prove why De Zerbi was keen to link back up with him as he admits his desperation to sign him.

What has Roberto De Zerbi said about Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham

It truly is no secret that De Zerbi is a huge admirer of van Hecke, or else he wouldn't have pushed to work with him again.

However, the true extent of his desperate attempts to sign him have emerged in a new interview.

Speaking with Football London, De Zerbi stated that he sent van Hecke quite the message on the final day of the season.

It followed after just weeks prior, his assist had resulted in an equaliser for Brighton against Spurs.

The message read: "You wanted to send down Tottenham for Brighton when you made the assist, now you have to come to me, yes or yes, you have no choice!'"

De Zerbi, obviously in a joking manner, provided the Dutchman with a tongue-in-cheek ultimatum, but there was perhaps a breath of that desperation to sign him mixed in.

How van Hecke is the perfect De Zerbi defender

De Zerbi requires his centre-backs to be calm on the ball and able to pass through the lines.

It is the foundation of his system and with van Hecke's arrival that will likely be the way he plays in N17.

According to Data.MB, van Hecke leads plenty of statistics among Premier League defender, and ones that are required for De Zerbi's football.

Last season, he ranked first for forward passes completed per 90 with 20.77.

Meanwhile, he also ranked first for in progressive passing accuracy per 90 at 83.45 per cent.

It was not only his passing that put him among the best either, as van Hecke proved to be a capable carrier.

In progressive carries per 90 with 2.69, he was once again first among his peers.

While the Dutchman leads the way for ball-carrying frequency per 90 with a total of 4.93 per 90.

Overall, when viewing those numbers, it makes sense why De Zerbi was so forward in his messages to sign van Hecke.