Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[InOffMeLeftShin]

The whole team was miles off against Everton. It was the worst game we’ll play all season, just not sharp after a basically non-existent pre-season.

Team is certainly starting to buzz now and PEH is just so much better than we probably all expected him to be. Not the most glitzy of signings maybe but a leader and absolutely full of energy. You can tell he just loves it, loves winning, loves battling and will do anything for his team-mates. There was one point in the first half where serge made a sliding tackle and PEH celebrated it with a double fist pump like he’d scored a winning penalty.

We haven’t even seen him Lo Celso and Ndombele all together and in full flow. It’s going to be pretty awesome.

 

[danielneeds]

Our starting midfield should be Hojberg, Sissoko, Ndombele. Yesterday was a soccer exhibition.

Away from home, I’d say yes, wth Lo Celso and Ndombele rotating. But at home when we need to break down stubborn defences Sissoko is useless.

 

[GMI]

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That picture says so much and makes me feel very optimistic for the future of this team.

 

[GLC10]

Away from home, I’d say yes, wth Lo Celso and Ndombele rotating. But at home when we need to break down stubborn defences Sissoko is useless.

I think Mourinho will never play with Lo Celso and Ndombele. Hojberg plays safe but a more defensive one like Sissoko or Winks is needed.

 

[danielneeds]

I think Mourinho will never play with Lo Celso and Ndombele. Hojberg plays safe but a more defensive one like Sissoko or Winks is needed.

I guess we’ll see. But against a real-bus parker we’ve seen time and again Sissoko struggles badly.

 

[dirtyh]

that pass for aurier's goal was a thing of beauty. the weight was just perfect, showed an extremely high skill level.

 

[ILS]

I think Mourinho will never play with Lo Celso and Ndombele. Hojberg plays safe but a more defensive one like Sissoko or Winks is needed.

I think we will see Sissoko in the big matches where it is about covering space and using his physical presence against teams with technically good midfielders. I don't however envisage him playing at home against Fulham's etc where we need better ball players, so can see both Lo Celso and Ndombele starting with Hjòbjerg.

 

[popstar7]

I don't mind rotation in other areas but I want Hojbjerg, Ndombele and Lo Celso playing together as often as possible.

 

[EQP]

I think we will see Sissoko in the big matches where it is about covering space and using his physical presence against teams with technically good midfielders. I don't however envisage him playing at home against Fulham's etc where we need better ball players, so can see both Lo Celso and Ndombele starting with Hjòbjerg.

Agreed. Plus GLC does his fair bit of defensive work, so it won't all be on PEH to handle that side of things. Actually, Tanguy has been getting significantly better at pressing and intercepting passes, so I have no doubts that the three of them against any team would work well.

 

[TheTanguy]

that pass for aurier's goal was a thing of beauty. the weight was just perfect, showed an extremely high skill level.

Was certainly a brilliant assist and he surprised me with that, it's a pass you would expect from De Bruyne.

 

[mumfordspur]

I do think pace is important but do agree that speed of thought is also vital. I did say that he seemed intelligent and its that intelligence that stands out in his positional play and anticipation as he showed yesterday.

Maybe I am judging him on the Everton game but to be honest everyone was shit.

He was excellent and orchestrated the defence in their positional play pretty well

Exactly - who came out of the Everton game with credit? What about Lead Boots Dire

 

[dtxspurs]

His passing is superior to Winks’. No doubt in my mind.

Not really that difficult. He’s already equaled the number of assists Winks has in his last 100+ games for us.

But yes, his passing has been very good thus far.

 

[ClintEastwould]

That’s the last time I think I know better about a signing than one of the most successful managers ever....

...until the next signing

 

[JCRD]

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This photo is just so funny, he is celebrating at a tackle that happened in their third of the pitch with only 16 mins gone.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Southampton fan (and season ticket holder) in my office couldn't believe PEH's performance yesterday, he didn't think he was capable of that at all.

Shows how much bias can affect our opinions. He became a lesser player in the eyes of Southampton fans the moment he refused to sign a new contract.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Gio is going to crush it in Sissoko's box-to-box role.

Slot Bale in for Lamela and Lo Celso in for Sissoko, and you have a team that can beat any side in the world.

In possession, those changes are clear upgrades. Out of possession, I'm not so sure.

Bale can tackle better than Lamela, but doesn't press and hound players down as relentlessly. Sissoko doesn't get enough credit for the work he does covering behind attacking fullbacks (was essential for releasing Aurier and Reguilon against United).

 

[HodisGawd]

He's going to become our most important player, I'm sure. Not the best, but the one we miss the most when he's out. Yeah, I like him. I like him a LOT.

 

[1971 Spur]

Nice analogy from a Southampton forum:

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Was absolute shite a few weeks ago and now surprise surprise he’s the 2nd fucking coming.

A cross between Beckenbaur/Dave Mackay & Blanchflower

I’m sure he is more the latter but probably not quite that good!

 

[mill]

He's going to become our most important player, I'm sure. Not the best, but the one we miss the most when he's out. Yeah, I like him. I like him a LOT.

I remember Iniesta saying similar about busquets, he was the one that allowed the creative players to perform