Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Wearegoingtowintheleague]

Think we may be being a bit harsh, we were overrun in midfield which would have made it difficult whichever two we had..

Great strike too.

 

[Tucker]

Saw him getting dogs abuse in the match thread, but it was the system that was at fault, not the players. We were outnumbered. He was working his arse off as usual though getting in several key blocks.

He has a habit of scoring in big games for us too.

 

[isaac94]

lovely finish, but horribly overrun in the middle; not all his fault mind, but I do have serious doubts he would start in any other elite side

 

[Sarsipius]

Saw him getting dogs abuse in the match thread, but it was the system that was at fault, not the players. We were outnumbered. He was working his arse off as usual though getting in several key blocks.

He has a habit of scoring in big games for us too.

Think he also played the through ball which Harry really should have put away given his usual standards.

May be technically less proficient than others but he's a warrior for us.

 

[thelak]

I thought Betancur had a weaker game than PEH but the system was the issue as most say

do agree we could try a 3 in the middle at times for these type of games but not sure we will with Conte

 

[Tucker]

Just watching the highlights again. Fucking love this guy.

 

[Timberwolf]

I agree but we have struggled in midfield for so long and he's just a bit light on quality in these big games. Plenty of game time for him against lesser teams but I'd have Bissouma starting more often

Think it was telling that Conte took off Bentancur for Bissouma and kept on Hojbjerg. I think he did the same in the last pre-season game too - PEH was the only CM to get the full 90.

Get the feeling that this will be how it is going forward: PEH + 1. He clearly has something that managers love - maybe because he's a leader and organiser? Or perhaps because he's such an all-rounder and can do a bit of everything.

 

[Japhet]

Just watching the highlights again. Fucking love this guy.

I don't think a lot of people have any understanding of the enormity of the task him and Bentacur were given yesterday. I wonder if Conte might have started with 3 in CM had Bissouma or Skipp been ready for action. As it was, Hojbjerg and Bentancur put in monumental shifts, especially in that heat and being outnumbered. What made it even harder for them was the total lack of a front line press from us before Richarlison came on and started putting himself about.

 

[14/04/91]

I don't think a lot of people have any understanding of the enormity of the task him and Bentacur were given yesterday. I wonder if Conte might have started with 3 in CM had Bissouma or Skipp been ready for action. As it was, Hojbjerg and Bentancur put in monumental shifts, especially in that heat and being outnumbered. What made it even harder for them was the total lack of a front line press from us before Richarlison came on and started putting himself about.

Also Son & Kulusevski didn't drop in quick enough at times (think you & I covered this in the match thread). When they're at their best, they make it a 5-4-1 as soon as we lose possession and we become very difficult to break down. That just didn't happen yesterday meaning Chelsea could find pockets of space all over the place, coupled with some very clever movement.
I don't think PEH helps himself when this happens as he goes a bit headless chicken and basically tries to do much and gets pulled out of position but it's not easy when all 4 wide men (inc the wing backs) were poor tactically.

 

[teedee]

Outnumbered. Don't blame the individual player for the manager's tactics and formation.

Because they had a third midfielder and because it was Jorginho, whose expert skill is sweeping up in a deep position and starting attacks, Chelsea were able to close-mark Bentancur and Højbjerg with two of the best ball-winners in the league and press and tackle them instantly, every time they got the ball, knowing that Jorginho was there if they didn't succeed. They started their press from 2m closer than we did, because they had cover.

When Richarlison came on, the change in momentum wasn't because of anything in particular he did - it was because, with four attacking players on the pitch, Kane (occasionally Kulusevski) could drop back into midfield and make the extra man, which enabled us to win and then hang onto the ball, for the first time in the match.

It worked and produced pressure for the first time, which led to Højbjerg's goal, but it required a change to 4 at the back, which was exposed badly for James' goal. Normally, our third central defender would have been in the empty space on our left that James exploited.

EDIT: incidentally, what I described in the first two paragraphs was exactly what happened in all four losses to them last season. We had no control of midfield because we were playing with two against a highly skilled and combative three.

Exactly. We were overrun in midfield yet again and could have easily gone two goals down before Conte changed it around. I am a great fan of Conte, but his starting formation with two in midfield was a major error, especially considering how we fared in the previous couple of games against Chelsea.

 

[The Scarecrow]

I'm not his biggest fan, but it's impressive to see him so high on this list. He has limitations, but clearly is good at what he does well.

 

[Aphex]

Burt from the Telegraph are saying Madrid are in for him to replace Casemiro

 

[Yiddo100]

Don’t know how I’d feel, but if a big bid came in and we can upgrade with a world class CM then I’d maybe be for it, but also would be happy if he stayed

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Real Madrid eye Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as Casemiro replacement

Antonio Conte is likely to demand a replacement at Tottenham Hotspur if Madrid follow through on their interest

www.telegraph.co.uk

Real Madrid target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace Casemiro​

Antonio Conte is likely to demand a replacement at Tottenham Hotspur if Madrid follow through on their interest

Real Madrid are considering a bid for Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace the Manchester United-bound Casemiro.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti is an admirer of Hojbjerg and tried to sign the midfielder for Everton when the Italian was in charge at Goodison Park.

Hojbjerg has three years left on his contract at Tottenham after moving from Southampton in 2020 for a fee of around £15 million. The Denmark international become Jose Mourinho’s first signing that summer and has remained a key player for Spurs under Antonio Conte.

At one point, though, it looked like Everton had beaten Spurs to Hojbjerg’s signature with personal terms agreed and Ancelotti pushing for the deal. In the end Hojbjerg chose Spurs after they made a late move.

However the signing of Rodrigo Bentancur in January and the arrival of Yves Bissouma has increased the competition in the Spurs midfield with Oliver Skipp working his way back to fitness. It remains to be seen whether Spurs would consider selling Hojbjerg should Real push ahead with a bid although Conte will surely demand a replacement should he be allowed to go.

The 27-year-old will also have to weigh up how much playing time he will get before the World Cup in November. A factor in Casemiro accepting United’s offer was the fact the Brazilian was benched last weekend with new £68 million signing, 22-year-old Aurelin Tchouameni starting.

Ancelotti confirmed on Friday morning that Casemiro was joining United on a four-year deal with an option for a fifth for the 30-year-old. I talked to [Casemiro] this morning. He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity. I and the club understand it. With what he’s done at this club and the person he is, we have to respect it. There are talks right now, nothing is official, but he wants to leave.”

 

[Tucker]

Should be telling them to get lost so late in the window.

 

[Darth Vega]

Would honestly be stunned if this happened. He's a good player but he's not Real Madrid level.

 

[dovahkiin]

id sell (providing someone (better) coming in)

 

[curlacious]

I actually think it could affect our season losing him late in the window (even if we do secure a good replacement). I know he's not the elite midfielder we'd all like, but he's a really important, stable part of the team.

 

[Yiddo100]

id sell (providing someone (better) coming in)

Agree, If we can bring in an upgrade then I’m happy for him to go, but wouldn’t be unhappy if he stayed

 

[mark87]

Would have to be an enormous bid, 60m+ is what I'd charge if they want him.