'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Tottenham summer signing handed shock rating as Premier League's best performer this season
Sep 23 2026 16:50 · By onefootball.com · 7 Reads
Despite a disaster start to the season, one Spurs star continues to impress
Tottenham have endured a disaster start to the season - sitting bottom of the Premier League - but Jan Paul van Hecke has emerged as one of the few bright spots in Roberto De Zerbi's struggling side.
Despite heavy summer spending, Spurs have taken just two points from their opening five matches. But one of those new recruits has been a surprise success on the stats-front.
According to Sofascore, Van Hecke is the second-best defender in the Premier League this season.
The Dutch centre-back has played every minute of Tottenham's Premier League campaign so far, completing all 450 minutes.
According to findings by Sofascore, Van Hecke has also made an impression with his distribution and defensive work. He ranks among the best Premier League centre-backs for long passing and interceptions, underlining his ability to play De Zerbi’s brand of football which builds from the back.
Van Hecke’s contribution has not been limited to defending, either.
The defender scored Tottenham's second goal in Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Aston Villa, heading home Andy Robertson's cross in stoppage time. Sofascore gave him a 7.8 rating for his display.
the 26-year-old also played a key role in Tottenham's 0-0 draw with Everton earlier in the month, completing 104 of 108 passes and adding five clearances, two blocks and two tackles won, according to Sofascore.
Other defenders to equally impress during the opening weeks of the season is Liverpool’s Jeremy Jacquet and Van Hecke’s former team-mate at Brighton, Lewis Dunk.
These findings may come as a surprise to Spurs fans, who would have watched Van Hecke’s nightmare debut against Brentford.
And the Dutchman did not mince his words when asked this week for his opinion on Spurs’ start.
“We had imagined it would be different,” said. “The way we play and concede goals is unacceptable.
“The way the energy drained away from the team is simply not right.”