Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Neon_Knight_]

You can’t really compare this season as they’re playing in two very different systems.

So far this year Xhaka has been given more freedom to move forward and is playing a similar role to how PEH plays for Denmark (where he regularly impresses) this is very different to his role for us.

For us this season PEH is used to close down passing channels and press while out of possession and circulate the ball into wide areas / backwards while in possession.

It’s like comparing Dembele to Dele and thinking Dele was the better player as he scored more goals

It’s like comparing Dembele to Dele and thinking Dele was the better player even though he clearly has worse stats for passing, dribbling, tackling, duels, interceptions etc. This is how ridiculous the "Xhaka is better than Hojbjerg" claims are.

EDIT:
It's actually far more ridiculous than that, as:

• Both players have scored 2 goals in 9 PL games so far this season (i.e. Xhaka has not scored more), while Xhaka has played slightly more minutes.
• Hojbjerg has more goals per game, more assists per game and therefore more goal contributions per game in a Spurs shirt than Xhaka has in an Arsenal shirt.
• Since Hojbjerg joined Spurs (2020-present) he has more goals and more assists than Xhaka, and more goal contributions per game.
• Hojbjerg has more goal contributions per game for Denmark than Xhaka has for Switzerland.

All while having superior stats for across the board for passing, tackling, interceptions, dribbling etc. I thought our fans were supposed to have bias towards our players, not Arsenal's.

 

[Locotoro]

It’s like comparing Dembele to Dele and thinking Dele was the better player even though he clearly has worse stats for passing, dribbling, tackling, duels, interceptions etc. This is how ridiculous the "Xhaka is better than Hojbjerg" claims are.

EDIT:
It's actually far more ridiculous than that, as:

• Both players have scored 2 goals in 9 PL games so far this season (i.e. Xhaka has not scored more), while Xhaka has played slightly more minutes.
• Hojbjerg has more goals per game, more assists per game and therefore more goal contributions per game in a Spurs shirt than Xhaka has in an Arsenal shirt.
• Since Hojbjerg joined Spurs (2020-present) he has more goals and more assists than Xhaka, and more goal contributions per game.
• Hojbjerg has more goal contributions per game for Denmark than Xhaka has for Switzerland.

All while having superior stats for across the board for passing, tackling, interceptions, dribbling etc. I thought our fans were supposed to have bias towards our players, not Arsenal's.

There's not a single metric where Xhaka comes out on top.

In addition to defending, passing, attacking, having better leadership skills he's also more disciplined and only got 2 yellow cards last season as opposed to Captain Red Card who had 3 suspensions last year from accrued yellows and reds

 

[jurgen]

It’s like comparing Dembele to Dele and thinking Dele was the better player even though he clearly has worse stats for passing, dribbling, tackling, duels, interceptions etc. This is how ridiculous the "Xhaka is better than Hojbjerg" claims are.

EDIT:
It's actually far more ridiculous than that, as:

• Both players have scored 2 goals in 9 PL games so far this season (i.e. Xhaka has not scored more), while Xhaka has played slightly more minutes.
• Hojbjerg has more goals per game, more assists per game and therefore more goal contributions per game in a Spurs shirt than Xhaka has in an Arsenal shirt.
• Since Hojbjerg joined Spurs (2020-present) he has more goals and more assists than Xhaka, and more goal contributions per game.
• Hojbjerg has more goal contributions per game for Denmark than Xhaka has for Switzerland.

All while having superior stats for across the board for passing, tackling, interceptions, dribbling etc. I thought our fans were supposed to have bias towards our players, not Arsenal's.

But Xhaka plays for arsenal and they're having a bit of a 'moment' with some posters on here

 

[yido16]

I feel like I’m missing something with Højberg, I’m seeing him getting praised and lauded everywhere for his performance yesterday, and in general this season but I was continually frustrated and annoyed with him yesterday. Maybe it’s just me and I have a subconscious bias against all this ‘Viking’ bollocks, but I don’t really understand

I agree with this, in the 1st half at the weekend he miss placed 6 passes when we were attacking, he came back to have a strong 2nd half, but that sums him up for me, will be brilliant then average on the ball, accept he is good in a ..3 but once we have that missing attacking midfielder, prefer to see him in a more defensive role

 

[PhC]

This discussion is never ending, no matter how many great performances the guy has. Only when he leaves will some ppl realize his true value. It’s quite telling how many of the negative posts here is based on feelings “I don’t feel he is that good”. No wonder some of you guys disregard stats completely.
PEH’s positioning, leadership and defensive contribution are world class. His passing and offensive contributions much better than he gets credit for. Overall, it’s hard to think of anyone in the prem better suited in his role in this team.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

This discussion is never ending, no matter how many great performances the guy has. Only when he leaves will some ppl realize his true value. It’s quite telling how many of the negative posts here is based on feelings “I don’t feel he is that good”. No wonder some of you guys disregard stats completely.
PEH’s positioning, leadership and defensive contribution are world class. His passing and offensive contributions much better than he gets credit for. Overall, it’s hard to think of anyone in the prem better suited in his role in this team.

He’s basically our Henderson.

 

[mil1lion]

Sandro in attendance today, very popular guy but kind of strange we don't appear to have the same love for Hojbjerg. I always love this type of player though.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Sandro in attendance today, very popular guy but kind of strange we don't appear to have the same love for Hojbjerg. I always love this type of player though.

Not In Sandros league pre injury - plus he’s a very different type of player. Sandro was far more dynamic, always looking to drive forward and get the team onto the front foot, which in turn lifts the crowd

Might be a bit harsh on Hojbjerg due to our style of play these days but I feel he’s more than happy to oblige the reactive system

 

[H-SF]

What a player. Seriously incredible. Needs a rest though lol.

 

[djhotspur]

What a player. Seriously incredible. Needs a rest though lol.

Yrah I do worry about him and benta

 

[RuskyM]

so so happy how wrong I’ve been about him. immense tonight

 

[Yiddo100]

Feels like he’s gone up about 2 levels this season, incredible player

 

[SlotBadger]

So many things wrong with this but did make me laugh (and is why I will always try to call him PEH in this place )

Very randomly, I met this kid a couple of weeks ago at Goals. Had never heard of him but was told he has millions of followers, and here he is being posted on SC.

 

[mil1lion]

Not In Sandros league pre injury - plus he’s a very different type of player. Sandro was far more dynamic, always looking to drive forward and get the team onto the front foot, which in turn lifts the crowd

Might be a bit harsh on Hojbjerg due to our style of play these days but I feel he’s more than happy to oblige the reactive system

Come off it

 

[dannyo]

What a player. Seriously incredible. Needs a rest though lol.

He does need a rest but we’ve just seen what happens when we dare to take him (and Bentancur) off for 10 minutes. They are the most important pairing in the team

 

[fuzzylogic]

Never been his biggest fan but he's had some brilliant performances recently and has been quite good for some time. I'm happy to eat my words, keep it up peh ???

 

[HildoSpur]

He is in brilliant form

 

[14/04/91]

He was excellent tonight, especially first half. Broke play up, always available as an option and had a major impact in the final third - a perfect midfield performance.
Also noticeable how nervous we looked without him & Dier at the end….

 

[dudu]

Another big performance from PEH.

 

[nipponyid]

He was outstanding tonight!