Spurs should revive their interest in Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
According to a report from the Metro a couple of seasons back, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was a transfer target for Tottenham. However, a move to north London did not materialise and the Danish international shifted bases to the Premier League with Southampton in 2016.
It has been a dismal season so far Southampton in the Premier League. With 7 points from 10 games, Mark Hughes’ men sit 16th in the Premier League, just a shade above the relegation zone.
Even with names like Charlie Austin, Danny Ings, Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini in their ranks, the Saints have only managed to find the net on 6 occasions in the Premier League this term. They don’t have a good defensive record either, having already shipped 14 goals.
As of now, things do not look all that bright for Mark Hughes’ side and they will have to improve significantly if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop this season.
However, one man in the midfield has given the manager something to cheer about. Amidst the failures of Mohamed Elyounoussi, Nathan Redmond and Manolo Gabbiadini, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been the silver lining of Southampton’s otherwise lacklustre campaign so far.
The 23-year-old former Bayern Munich man was supposed to be one of the mainstays of Southampton’s midfield this season and he hasn’t disappointed his manager. After scoring a goal and putting in a man of the match performance to propel the Saints to their only win of the campaign against Crystal Palace, Hojbjerg scored the team’s opener in an eventual 2-2 draw against Brighton.
However, it hasn’t only been about goals as far as Hojbjerg’s performances are concerned. The 23-year-old has excelled in a box-to-box role in the centre of the park and has contributed equally to both attack and defense. His partnership with Mario Lemina in the heart of midfield has been one of the few positives for Southampton so far this season.
In fact, the Danish international averages 3 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game this term in the Premier League, which speaks volumes of his anticipation and game-reading ability as a central midfielder. He has by far been the most energetic player for Southampton in the midfield and has contributed a lot to the build-up play. Hojbjerg averages a remarkable 72.4 passes per game with a success percentage of 87.2. Furthermore, he averages 1.1 key passes and 5.1 successful long balls per game in the Premier League.
The Danish international’s aerial ability is definitely an added asset to the team, averaging 1.9 aerial duels per game, which is exceptionally good for a central midfielder.
To put things into perspective, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will be a perfect addition to Tottenham’s squad. Back in 2016, he was still very young but he seems to have taken a big stride towards fulfilling his potential this season. Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele are likely to leave the club in January, which would create a massive void in central midfield as far as Spurs are concerned.
Dembele is nearing the twilight of his Premier League career while Wanyama has been frozen out of the first-team by Mauricio Pochettino. To be honest, someone like Hojbjerg would be the ideal man to provide cover and competition for the likes of Eric Dier and Harry Winks.
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As things stand, someone like Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is likely to be a very useful signing for Spurs. He has all the parts to be the long-term successor to Mousa Dembele and the Lilywhites should rekindle their interest in the 23-year-old Danish midfield maestro. Going by the kind of form that he has shown this season, he can certainly propel Spurs to greater heights.
