Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[chrissivad]

Is that including Eriksen? Or Winks?

Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Skipp and Bissouma

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Skipp and Bissouma

Bissouma! Sorry, it’s gonna take a few days to process that one. Maybe a few weeks, but I’m sure I’ll accept it’s done by the time he pulls the shirt on. Strange times. I’m aware of the concept of optimism, but it’s never really impinged on my Spurs supporting career so far.

 

[dontcallme]

Is that including Eriksen? Or Winks?

Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Skipp and Bentancur.

Edit: just realised others answered for me.

 

[TheWook]

Even if PEH was for sale we wouldn’t want that let out before we know whats happening with Eriksen, I guess playing with him at club level is a pull in itself, but we wont/shouldnt sell him anyway!

 

[ZiggySpurs]

 

[glacierSpurs]

Finally shutting this up. Of course. He's more than a player. And Conte knows it very well.

 

[dudu]

Some of us have watched him for years in U23’s, England youth teams where he was by far the most mature and complete player in the U21’s and was amazing for Norwich in the championship which many underrate as a league, we’ve seen recently how the best teams from that league (other than Norwich) can come up and hold their own in the PL with good coaches. He’s a massive talent. He wins the midfield battle and gives a platform to control and win matches and he was doing that for Spurs too before his injury and it’s what he’s been doing in England U21’s and at Norwich previously. If it was a choice of sell Skipp or Hojbjerg it will take me 0000000.1 seconds to choose who i’m keeping. Extremely certain that Skipp is going to be a top player for us for the next 10+ years and I have been for ages. The same actually goes for Devine too, who I’ve followed closely for Spurs youth and England and he’s a similar level of talent who I expect to be a brilliant player

So I assume you watched a lot of PEH as a youngster too?

Pretty much everyone who was, by all accounts, rated him as highly as we do Skipp.

Reading any article from back in 2016/2017 when he was considering moving from Bayern states that he has an incredibly bright future ahead of him and, funnily enough, that, in the words of Thomas Frank "On the ball, his technical ability is extremely strong: he has a great first touch and a wide passing range"

 

[Locotoro]

So I assume you watched a lot of PEH as a youngster too?

Pretty much everyone who was, by all accounts, rated him as highly as we do Skipp.

Reading any article from back in 2016/2017 when he was considering moving from Bayern states that he has an incredibly bright future ahead of him and, funnily enough, that, in the words of Thomas Frank "On the ball, his technical ability is extremely strong: he has a great first touch and a wide passing range"

Its funny how some fans will happily give up a player who is statistically top of his game right now and provides a fantastic level of intensity and maturity for an academy product that has barely finished half a season for us.

Skipp may well go on to become the worlds greatest CM in the history of any team sport ever...but before he does he'll have to dislodge Hojbjerg and Bentancur first and then fight Bissouma for a place too. That is what will make him a top player - not giving him free passage.

 

[dudu]

Its funny how some fans will happily give up a player who is statistically top of his game right now and provides a fantastic level of intensity and maturity for an academy product that has barely finished half a season for us.

Skipp may well go on to become the worlds greatest CM in the history of any team sport ever...but before he does he'll have to dislodge Hojbjerg and Bentancur first and then fight Bissouma for a place too. That is what will make him a top player - not giving him free passage.

Absolutely. Plus, I really think having a leader like Hojbjerg in the middle of the pitch is essential.

 

[Flobadob]

So I assume you watched a lot of PEH as a youngster too?

Pretty much everyone who was, by all accounts, rated him as highly as we do Skipp.

Reading any article from back in 2016/2017 when he was considering moving from Bayern states that he has an incredibly bright future ahead of him and, funnily enough, that, in the words of Thomas Frank "On the ball, his technical ability is extremely strong: he has a great first touch and a wide passing range"

Nah I didn’t but let’s be honest mate if he was that great he wouldn’t have ended up in Southampton would he?

I haven’t followed PEH’s career until he came to the PL but to say he’s technically strong is generally correct but when you’re comparing him to the very top CM’s that we need to have our players competing with, that’s where he falls massively short and that’s been my point for this entire debate, I’ve repeated this over and over and over and it’s still not really sinking in is it ? Totally bored of this tbh. I’ve never said sell him, I just prefer others to him in the squad and think he isn’t good enough to compete against the very best consistently. He’s really never shown he can do that consistently, he’s sat deep against City and Liverpool which hides his weaknesses as a player and he’s had a good international tournament but international football isn’t as high a level as the highest level of club football, it just isn’t, there’s not a nation in the world that play anywhere near the level of a City, Liverpool, Madrid, Bayern etc and that’s down to the players not playing together week in week out and them not being together under the same coach week in week out for training. Obviously you have to give him credit for performing well for his country but judging him as a player from it isn’t ideal

 

[dudu]

Nah I didn’t but let’s be honest mate if he was that great he wouldn’t have ended up in Southampton would he?

I haven’t followed PEH’s career until he came to the PL but to say he’s technically strong is generally correct but when you’re comparing him to the very top CM’s that we need to have our players competing with, that’s where he falls massively short and that’s been my point for this entire debate, I’ve repeated this over and over and over and it’s still not really sinking in is it ? Totally bored of this tbh. I’ve never said sell him, I just prefer others to him in the squad and think he isn’t good enough to compete against the very best consistently. He’s really never shown he can do that consistently, he’s sat deep against City and Liverpool which hides his weaknesses as a player and he’s had a good international tournament but international football isn’t as high a level as the highest level of club football, it just isn’t, there’s not a nation in the world that play anywhere near the level of a City, Liverpool, Madrid, Bayern etc and that’s down to the players not playing together week in week out and them not being together under the same coach week in week out for training. Obviously you have to give him credit for performing well for his country but judging him as a player from it isn’t ideal

I just don't think your reasoning makes much sense -

Mane ended up at Southampton - he is pretty good -

Kante ended up at Leicester before his big move to Chelsea.

Gareth Bale and Luka Modric ended up at us when we weren't doing much special at all

Also RE Liverpool and City when we played them this year - he played an integral part and likely did EXACTLY what was asked of him

1-1 vs Liverpool - he looks as if he was sitting perfectly relative to the rest of the team - even slightly more forward than Bentancur

3-2 vs City - the same albeit Bentancur slightly ahead of him

So yeah, I get you're bored at having to defend your points, they make a lot of sense but I'm just not sure they translate into a realistic view of the player or what is being asked of him.

 

[Flobadob]

I just don't think your reasoning makes much sense -

Mane ended up at Southampton - he is pretty good -

Kante ended up at Leicester before his big move to Chelsea.

Gareth Bale and Luka Modric ended up at us when we weren't doing much special at all

Also RE Liverpool and City when we played them this year - he played an integral part and likely did EXACTLY what was asked of him

1-1 vs Liverpool - he looks as if he was sitting perfectly relative to the rest of the team - even slightly more forward than Bentancur

View attachment 113214

3-2 vs City - the same albeit Bentancur slightly ahead of him

View attachment 113215



So yeah, I get you're bored at having to defend your points, they make a lot of sense but I'm just not sure they translate into a realistic view of the player or what is being asked of him.

My point is that’s the only way we win those games or get any points with a player like PEH in our team. I’ll be very surprised if this season with a Bissouma/Bentancur midfield that we have to play that deep because we will be able to actually compete properly in midfield without sitting on the edge of our own box for the entire match. I totally understand that’s what was asked of him, but if he was asked to do different, like say the Chelsea matches in January or February where we tried to play a bit more football, he’d get made a total mug of like he did in those matches and we can settle for sitting back against the big teams but the very fact we have to do that tells you our midfield isn’t good enough to compete, or wasn’t. He’s definitely not been the only reason we have to sit back in those matches and also struggled to break down teams because of our lack of ability on the ball as a team but he’s definitely one of the reasons. I can’t remember us ever sitting back with a Dembele/Wanyama midfield despite them both being more defensive players because they controlled the midfield in almost every way, rarely gave the ball away and were almost impossible to press. Even they weren’t good enough to propel us to winning things and they were on a different level to PEH. I get why people like him and all and want him in the squad but he just isn’t good enough if we want to challenge at the top and he’s never done anything to suggest he is. Bissouma will be a huge upgrade on him instantly

 

[dudu]

My point is that’s the only way we win those games or get any points with a player like PEH in our team. I’ll be very surprised if this season with a Bissouma/Bentancur midfield that we have to play that deep because we will be able to actually compete properly in midfield without sitting on the edge of our own box for the entire match. I totally understand that’s what was asked of him, but if he was asked to do different, like say the Chelsea matches in January or February where we tried to play a bit more football, he’d get made a total mug of like he did in those matches and we can settle for sitting back against the big teams but the very fact we have to do that tells you our midfield isn’t good enough to compete, or wasn’t. He’s definitely not been the only reason we have to sit back in those matches and also struggled to break down teams because of our lack of ability on the ball as a team but he’s definitely one of the reasons. I can’t remember us ever sitting back with a Dembele/Wanyama midfield despite them both being more defensive players because they controlled the midfield in almost every way, rarely gave the ball away and were almost impossible to press. Even they weren’t good enough to propel us to winning things and they were on a different level to PEH. I get why people like him and all and want him in the squad but he just isn’t good enough if we want to challenge at the top and he’s never done anything to suggest he is. Bissouma will be a huge upgrade on him instantly

Interesting points - you think Wanyama was a different level despite also coming from Southampton, yet you use the reason PEH has only played for Southampton as some kind of argument that he is not at the required level?

I'm also not sure why it is relevant to compare what Poch did to what Conte is trying to do. Conte will happily sit deeper against big teams. It is his MO, which makes PEH perfect for this kind of game. Maybe had Conte been in charge of us in 15/16 and/or 16/17 we would have won the league?

I think PEH will play be an integral part of the side next season, so I hope he proves you wrong

 

[Flobadob]

Interesting points - you think Wanyama was a different level despite also coming from Southampton, yet you use the reason PEH has only played for Southampton as some kind of argument that he is not at the required level?

I'm also not sure why it is relevant to compare what Poch did to what Conte is trying to do. Conte will happily sit deeper against big teams. It is his MO, which makes PEH perfect for this kind of game. Maybe had Conte been in charge of us in 15/16 and/or 16/17 we would have won the league?

I think PEH will play be an integral part of the side next season, so I hope he proves you wrong

I used that example because you talked like he was some huge prospect, yet he went to Southampton, it was a counter to your argument rather than a point I’ve brought up out of thin air to argue against every single player that’s ever lived ? I’m saying if he was considered a huge talent he wouldn’t have ended up at Southampton, Wanyama and Mane going there made some sense because players from weak leagues like Scotland and Austria generally have to make moves like that to prove themselves first, if PEH was a huge talent playing for Bayern in a strong German league then it’s a different story, as clever as you think you are being here using my point against me, it’s not really that clever when all the details are examined properly is it?

As things stand he’s wanted to sit deep with our squad but we will see what he’d like to do when we get some better players in. The likes of Perisic and Bissouma who are much better technically than their competition for the place in the starting 11 will definitely help us to play on the front foot more.

So do I actually, I think all 4 senior CM’s will be integral parts of the team next season with PL and CL to juggle and I’m really happy we have such good depth there now, I fully expect to line up with Bissouma and Bentancur in the big matches though and for that to be our pairing for the most part in the PL

 

[Hazelton]

You don't sell players like Hojbjerg, he's undoubtably a leader and has the type of character that is sorely missing in this squad.

If we continue to use the back three model, which looks likely, then he could realistically rotate in CM and cover the middle CB position against the weaker teams.

 

[EQP]

Bissouma, Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Sarr and what happens now in Tottenham's midfield

Tottenham's midfield will have a different look new season under Antonio Conte thanks to a new addition and more to come

www.football.london

" Hojbjerg is a big personality in the dressing room at Spurs, part of the leadership group within the squad and a man with vocal opinions on everything going on around him at the club. Those behind the scenes describe the articulate Dane as an intense character within the squad, one who constantly drives his team-mates on but also can be a lot to handle at first for those who have not experienced his demeanour before.

Hojbjerg leads by example and has often played with injuries for Spurs when he should not have, because he did not want to let the team down. He, along with Eric Dier, is the first player to arrive at the club's Hotspur Way training complex each morning and is one of the last to leave. He demands the best of those around him and that's no bad thing, especially in this new-look Tottenham. "

What more can you ask for? He's the type of personality we need more of at the club. Still feel that he's best suited in a 352, pressing further up the pitch and being allowed to join in with the attack.

 

[glacierSpurs]

What more can you ask for? He's the type of personality we need more of at the club. Still feel that he's best suited in a 352, pressing further up the pitch and being allowed to join in with the attack.

Because for some, we have shiny new toys so Hojbjerg can be benched or even sold. ?‍

 

[bubble07]

He is a top player and is a great rotation player for us

 

[Flobadob]

Because for some, we have shiny new toys so Hojbjerg can be benched or even sold. ?‍

No one’s said he should be sold but Bissouma is a better player, he’s bossed Hojbjerg several times this season and is just a higher level of midfielder. Don’t care if he’s new or shiny or whatever other rubbish, I want the best players on the pitch and us to recruit the best players we can. We’ve done that with Perisic and Bissouma, so I’m happy. I’m also happy that we have 4 options in CM that I wouldn’t worry about starting any match next season, in any combination. Skipp and Hojbjerg formed a good partnership last season before Skipp’s injury, PEH and Bentancur did too and I fully expect Bissouma to be a massive success for us, so it’s all good.

I just don’t rate him as highly as some others on here. Would definitely make me scratch my head if there are people that think he’s a better player than Bissouma though, he’s one of the best CM/DM’s in the PL while playing with some real dross at Brighton. He’ll go to another level amongst our higher quality players and under Conte

 

[PhC]

I used that example because you talked like he was some huge prospect, yet he went to Southampton, it was a counter to your argument rather than a point I’ve brought up out of thin air to argue against every single player that’s ever lived ? I’m saying if he was considered a huge talent he wouldn’t have ended up at Southampton, Wanyama and Mane going there made some sense because players from weak leagues like Scotland and Austria generally have to make moves like that to prove themselves first, if PEH was a huge talent playing for Bayern in a strong German league then it’s a different story, as clever as you think you are being here using my point against me, it’s not really that clever when all the details are examined properly is it?

As things stand he’s wanted to sit deep with our squad but we will see what he’d like to do when we get some better players in. The likes of Perisic and Bissouma who are much better technically than their competition for the place in the starting 11 will definitely help us to play on the front foot more.

So do I actually, I think all 4 senior CM’s will be integral parts of the team next season with PL and CL to juggle and I’m really happy we have such good depth there now, I fully expect to line up with Bissouma and Bentancur in the big matches though and for that to be our pairing for the most part in the PL

Several people have now pointed out inconsistencies and contradictions in your argument, still it seems your unwilling or perhaps unable to see them.
You make some good points but for a debate to be fruitful both sides need to listen. You don’t, instead you cherry pick and disregard others arguments and all stats (!). You’re not the only one, of course, but it stands out in this thread.
I’m (still) not claiming he’s a world beater, but your wrong about several things - latest that he was not considered a big talent. He was indeed, rated by Bayern and Guardiola as well (as I already told you), but he wasn’t mature enough to wait for regular playing time and chose to move on. Footballers careers are not usually linear and he obviously needed to develop as a footballer and human being before being ready for the big stage. Now here he is and doing more than well. Deal with it.