Tottenham has been hit with a significant injury blow as key defender Jan Paul van Hecke was forced to leave the Netherlands squad and return to London for further assessment after sustaining a foot injury.
The £52 million summer signing picked up the painful injury during the Netherlands' UEFA Nations League win against Serbia when an opponent stepped on his foot. Although Van Hecke played the full 90 minutes, he experienced severe discomfort afterward, preventing him from participating in subsequent training sessions.
Dutch head coach Xavi Hernandez confirmed Van Hecke's withdrawal, noting that the player attempted light recovery work but was in too much pain to continue. The 26-year-old center-back is now back at Hotspur Way, with the club's medical team assessing his condition ahead of their return to domestic play.
This injury comes at a critical time for Tottenham, who have had a rough start to the season, sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table. Van Hecke has been a consistent performer for Spurs, starting every league game and even scoring his first goal for the club. His absence would be a major setback for manager Roberto De Zerbi, especially with a crucial match against Manchester United on the horizon.
