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  1. 'Give him the captaincy' - fans on Van Hecke

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    We asked for your views on if Jan Paul van Hecke should become captain, or if Brighton should cash in while his stock is high.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Steve: Give him the captaincy. Lewis Dunk is slowing down and Van Hecke is a natural replacement. We can't keep cashing in on players we take from obscurity and turn into superstars. The fans want to see some return in the form of trophies.

    Kevin: Definitely keep him! He's clearly a future world-class defender. I would love to see him commit to stay and take over from our Brighton legend Dunk.

    Luke: We should absolutely tie him down to a contract and make him Dunk's successor as captain. But realistically we are a selling club and he will likely be off next season to a club with European football every season.

    Gezz: What I think does not matter, the policy is to cash in. Problem is that we have reached a glass ceiling with this policy.

    V: Van Hecke is 100% a player we should be doing everything to keep hold of. He has become an everpresent rock at the back and definitely is superior to Dunk. Would be devastating if he was to leave!

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  3. Can Brighton hold on to 'future captain' van Hecke?

    Joe Sayers
    Fan writer

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    Jan Paul van HeckeGetty Images

    Jan Paul van Hecke is likely one of the most improved Albion players of the past four seasons. His rise has been incredible to watch, but of course, it comes with some uncertainty over his future as his contract nears expiry.

    His introduction to the fans was certainly a memorable one, keeping Erling Haaland in his pocket during a 1-1 draw at Amex Stadium back in 2023. Since then, his rise has only continued.

    He has become the best partner for Lewis Dunk and I think most would say has eclipsed our captain in terms of consistency and dominance.

    Worries early on with Van Hecke were around his disciplinary record, though he seems to have matured well beyond his years.

    He is also the first player in around three of four seasons to not leave the football club after winning the fan's player of the season award, a trend Albion fans were extremely happy to see the back of.

    But the worry does not end there. There have been rumours that we could well be saying goodbye to our Dutch powerhouse soon even though in my opinion, he could be the ready-made captain should Lewis Dunk retire in the near future.

    His fiery attitude on the pitch, along with the pure passion that flows out of him with every goal or important defensive action, makes him the perfect option to take over from our current ever-present leader.

    That should be our selling point to him. Commit your future to us, become a Premier League captain.

    Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed

    What do you think? Van Hecke as captain or cash in while his stock is high?

    Let us know

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