Jan Paul van Hecke Reveals How Roberto De Zerbi Has Won the Hearts of Tottenham Players After Back-to-Back Wins
Jan Paul van Hecke has opened up about the growing relationship between Roberto De Zerbi and his Tottenham Hotspur players, revealing how the Italian manager has quickly earned the squad’s admiration following their impressive run of consecutive victories.
The atmosphere around Tottenham Hotspur has noticeably improved after their memorable 2-0 triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The result marked Spurs’ second victory of the new campaign, lifting them out of the Premier League relegation zone and into 14th place, just four points behind fifth place, which secured Champions League qualification last season.
More importantly, the victory ended Tottenham’s wait for a win at Chelsea’s home ground that had stretched back to 2018. It was also only their second victory at Stamford Bridge in more than 30 years, making the result particularly special for the players and supporters.
With confidence beginning to return to the squad, there are growing signs that De Zerbi is winning the trust of his players as they become increasingly comfortable with his tactical approach and demands.
Jan Paul van Hecke Opens Up About Tottenham’s Relationship With Roberto De Zerbi
Speaking to football.london, Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke discussed the positive atmosphere within the dressing room and explained why the players have developed such a strong appreciation for their manager.
The Dutch centre-back already knows De Zerbi well, having previously worked under him at Brighton. Their close relationship has even earned Van Hecke the affectionate nickname of the Italian manager’s ‘son’.
Van Hecke made it clear that the Tottenham squad holds their head coach in high regard, while also explaining how familiarity with his methods has helped the team continue improving.
He said: “Yeah, I think he’s loved. I love him as well. He’s a top manager and everyone’s really happy here.”
The defender also highlighted the importance of understanding what De Zerbi expects from his players, suggesting that the team’s progress will continue as they become more accustomed to his footballing philosophy.
“I know his ideas and how he wants to play. I know what he wants from me. We get better and better because it needs time, you know, but [the game at Stamford Bridge] was great,” he added.
Van Hecke’s comments suggest that the relationship between De Zerbi and his players is built on mutual understanding, trust and a shared determination to improve Tottenham’s performances.
That connection was also evident after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, when Pedro Porro playfully kissed the back of De Zerbi’s neck while the Tottenham manager was conducting a club interview before boarding the team coach.
The light-hearted moment offered another glimpse into the cheerful atmosphere surrounding the squad after their impressive London derby victory.
Tottenham Players and Supporters Celebrate Statement Victory Over Chelsea
Tottenham’s win over Chelsea represented more than just three valuable points, with the performance providing fresh encouragement to supporters who have been waiting for signs of progress under De Zerbi.
The travelling fans played their part throughout the contest, creating an impressive atmosphere and helping the players maintain their intensity during a significant away fixture.
Van Hecke admitted that the result had left everyone connected with the club in high spirits, praising both his teammates’ performance and the supporters’ contribution.
“Everyone is buzzing. Massive result, I think fully deserved. We played some really, really good football. We worked really hard, I’m really happy,” he explained.
The defender also emphasised how much the fans’ support means to the players, revealing that the atmosphere inside the stadium can inspire them to push even harder on the pitch.
“It’s such a good feeling and the fans were loud and proud. You feel this on the pitch and you give even more,” Van Hecke said.
His comments underline the importance of the connection between the Tottenham squad and its supporters, particularly during a period when the club is attempting to rebuild confidence and establish greater consistency.
After consecutive victories, there is renewed optimism that De Zerbi can help Spurs develop into a more organised and competitive side as the season progresses.
Spurs Silence Chelsea’s Attack to End Their Stamford Bridge Hoodoo
While Tottenham’s attacking display attracted plenty of attention, their defensive performance was equally significant.
Chelsea entered the contest with one of the Premier League’s most productive attacking records, having established themselves as a dangerous side in the final third. However, Tottenham successfully restricted their opponents and prevented them from finding the net.
The result meant Chelsea failed to score for the first time this season, while Tottenham recorded their third clean sheet of the campaign.
Spurs’ defensive discipline proved crucial in securing a memorable victory, demonstrating that the team could combine attacking quality with the organisation needed to overcome a difficult opponent away from home.
For Van Hecke, ending Tottenham’s lengthy wait for a win at Stamford Bridge was especially satisfying because the players were fully aware of the unwanted record before the match.
The defender acknowledged that knowing about the club’s previous struggles at Chelsea provided additional motivation to deliver a positive result.
“It’s massive. We knew before the game that we hadn’t won here for a long time and this gives a lot of confidence,” he said.
Van Hecke explained that football inevitably produces both positive and negative records, but Tottenham’s players understood the significance of finally overcoming one of their most frustrating away-day obstacles.
“In football, there are always good records and bad records. We knew [about the Chelsea hoodoo] because you see it everywhere, that gives you extra motivation,” he continued.
He also recognised how much the victory meant to the supporters, insisting that the squad deserved to enjoy the moment before turning its attention towards the next challenge.
“For the fans, of course, it’s a great day and for us as well. So enjoy today and tomorrow and then we need to keep going,” Van Hecke concluded.
De Zerbi Begins to Build Belief at Tottenham
Van Hecke’s comments provide a positive indication of the relationship developing between De Zerbi and his Tottenham players, with the defender’s previous experience under the Italian giving him a valuable perspective on the manager’s methods.
The victories have brought renewed confidence, while the performance against Chelsea demonstrated the squad’s ability to compete in a demanding Premier League fixture.
However, Tottenham will need to maintain that level of commitment and consistency if they are to continue climbing the table and challenge the teams above them.
For now, the mood around N17 is considerably brighter. With the players appearing increasingly comfortable under De Zerbi, the supporters responding enthusiastically and the team beginning to deliver results, Tottenham have reasons to believe their season can take a more encouraging direction.
The challenge will be turning this promising start into sustained progress, but Van Hecke’s remarks suggest that the manager already has something important on his side: the trust, affection and commitment of his players.