Tottenham have not signed the next ‘Bobby Moore’, just a £52m star with a lack of steel – Bryan King

Former Tottenham senior scout Bryan King has urged supporters to temper their praise for summer signing Jan Paul van Hecke, dismissing comparisons between the Dutch defender and legends Bobby Moore and Stuart Pearce. King argued that Van Hecke and defensive partner Micky van de Ven lack defensive steel, noting that Leeds United forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have scored multiple goals during Leeds' recent 1-0 victory over Spurs.

Despite King's criticism regarding aerial prowess and box defending, the article highlights Van Hecke's crucial role in manager Roberto De Zerbi's system. The 26-year-old center-back provides key line-breaking passes and helps Tottenham maintain possession, which has contributed to Spurs conceding only one goal across their previous three matches prior to the Leeds defeat.