Van Hecke and Verbruggen nominated for Premier League award

Van Hecke (Tottenham) and Verbruggen (Brighton) are among eight players nominated for Premier League Player of the Month.

Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen have been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award. The two Dutch players, representing Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, are among eight candidates announced by the Premier League on Thursday.

Other nominees include Evanilson (Bournemouth), Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa), Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice (Arsenal), Jack Rudoni (Coventry City) and Luka Vuskovic (Brighton). Notably, Van Hecke and Vuskovic appear to have swapped clubs this season, with the Dutchman now at Tottenham and the Croatian defender at Brighton.

In the Manager of the Month category, Roberto De Zerbi's nomination stands out. The Italian is one of six contenders alongside Xabi Alonso (Chelsea), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Unai Emery (Aston Villa), Fabian Hürzeler (Brighton) and Marco Rose (Bournemouth). De Zerbi has steadied Tottenham since October.