Jan Paul van Hecke has been sidelined from the Netherlands’ Nations League squad due to an injury, prompting Xavi to express disappointment over the defender’s absence.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Van Hecke would be heading back to Tottenham for additional treatment on an injury he incurred during the match against Serbia on Sunday.
He had played in both of the Netherlands’ previous matches, teaming up with Virgil van Dijk to secure a 1-1 draw with Germany and a 2-1 victory over Serbia.
However, he will miss the remaining fixtures of this international break, even though Xavi noted that Van Hecke had attempted to push through the pain.
“He received a blow during the game against Serbia,” Xavi commented on Van Hecke. “He’s quite determined and tried to carry on these past few days.”
“But during training today, it became apparent that the pain was too significant. It’s unfortunate.
“Nonetheless, we still have 23 players available, including several defenders.”
Jan Paul van Hecke won’t travel to Thessaloniki with the squad.
The defender got injured during the away game against Serbia and will return to Tottenham Hotspur.
Get well soon, JP! pic.twitter.com/4i00s1Xk6K
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 30, 2026
This latest injury marks a continuing trend for the Netherlands, who have also lost players like Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey, and Cody Gakpo.
“It’s down to the match schedule; there’s not much you can do. We must adapt,” Xavi stated regarding the team’s injury situation.
Following their recent win over Serbia—Xavi’s first with the team—they are now preparing for a matchup with Greece, who currently lead Group A2.
Greece’s surprising 1-0 victory against Jurgen Klopp’s Germany in their last outing has raised some eyebrows, but Xavi approaches Thursday’s game with confidence.
“We shouldn’t fear Greece; we respect them,” he added about their opponents.
“They’re performing well and have considerable talent, particularly in their attack. Nonetheless, it will be a challenging game.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as injuries to key players like Van Hecke can impact the dynamics of a national team, especially during important tournaments. As nations navigate such challenges, it underscores the need for depth in squads and may lead to unexpected breakthroughs for lesser-known players, adding intrigue to the matches ahead.
Source: www.soccernews.com
