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Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

Snarfalicious

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2012
15,709
71,934
I might be in the minority here, but if we’re planning on utilizing PEH as a DM, I’d rather use Sissoko in that role.

Yeah, I’d prefer to save the money, find a younger/more moldable talent and use the money to address other areas of need. I do feel DM is a really important position to address, and if we sign PEH I see him as an improvement on what we have played in that role, but I’d really like to see us aim higher.
 

wrd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2014
13,603
58,005
Can't we loan Leicesters scouts for the dm position after they found Kante then Ndidi?
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,389
Yeah, I’d prefer to save the money, find a younger/more moldable talent and use the money to address other areas of need. I do feel DM is a really important position to address, and if we sign PEH I see him as an improvement on what we have played in that role, but I’d really like to see us aim higher.

I'm inclined to agree but in the current circumstances I think we could end up with Hojbjerg (or similar quality) or nothing.
 

delawarespur

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
2,371
13,361
Yeah, I’d prefer to save the money, find a younger/more moldable talent and use the money to address other areas of need. I do feel DM is a really important position to address, and if we sign PEH I see him as an improvement on what we have played in that role, but I’d really like to see us aim higher.
My point exactly. I like Hojbjerg, much in the same way I like Sissoko. The issue I’ve always had with Sissoko defensively is he loves to burst forward with the ball and leave gaps. However, under Jose, he seems to be more disciplined and positionally aware and mature. Again, I’ll probably be in the minority, but I believe Sissoko is a more physical, athletic, and dominant version of Hojbjerg. I’ve honestly seen very little to suggest he’s leaps and bounds better than Sissoko in possession, he often seems nervous on the ball. But again, just my opinion. (Pep said he could be Philipp lahm’s replacement at Bayern so who am I to judge).I’d prefer we sign someone that provides the best qualities of Sissoko and PEH in one. Someone with world class athleticism, defensive awareness, selfless work for the team, and added class on the ball. That for me would be Denis Zakaria, but would cost a premium and probably out of our price range. Which is why I understand PEH would be the best buy for us in the position given the likely small fee. He would improve the squad (and maybe even the first XI) given the circumstances, and hopefully his qualities would fit perfectly into what Jose is trying to do here.
 

Snarfalicious

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2012
15,709
71,934
My point exactly. I like Hojbjerg, much in the same way I like Sissoko. The issue I’ve always had with Sissoko defensively is he loves to burst forward with the ball and leave gaps. However, under Jose, he seems to be more disciplined and positionally aware and mature. Again, I’ll probably be in the minority, but I believe Sissoko is a more physical, athletic, and dominant version of Hojbjerg. I’ve honestly seen very little to suggest he’s leaps and bounds better than Sissoko in possession, he often seems nervous on the ball. But again, just my opinion. (Pep said he could be Philipp lahm’s replacement at Bayern so who am I to judge).I’d prefer we sign someone that provides the best qualities of Sissoko and PEH in one. Someone with world class athleticism, defensive awareness, selfless work for the team, and added class on the ball. That for me would be Denis Zakaria, but would cost a premium and probably out of our price range. Which is why I understand PEH would be the best buy for us in the position given the likely small fee. He would improve the squad (and maybe even the first XI) given the circumstances, and hopefully his qualities would fit perfectly into what Jose is trying to do here.

I personally don’t believe Zakaria will be significantly more than £35m when it’s all said and done. Could I be wrong? Heck yeah; he does have 2 years left on his contract. But, He’d be a better fit for what what we need, and my understanding is the knee injury he has is not too bad.
 

DiVaio

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2020
4,173
17,393
Apparently they want to sign William carvalho
I think that they possibly can't find DM more diffenent than Ndidi
William-Carvalho-vs-Wilfred Ndidi.png
 

delawarespur

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
2,371
13,361
I personally don’t believe Zakaria will be significantly more than £35m when it’s all said and done. Could I be wrong? Heck yeah; he does have 2 years left on his contract. But, He’d be a better fit for what what we need, and my understanding is the knee injury he has is not too bad.
In this market I don’t think we can predict the prices of anyone. Clubs who are financially stable should feel no pressure to let their stars go for less than their own personal valuations of the player. Sancho will not go for less than 100m even if the apocalypse was happening (knock on wood cause 2020 is fucked). Gladbach just qualified for the CL and their hierarchy therefore has stated that they are in no pressure to sell. That combined with serious competition for the player will drive his price up and probably gladbach would only be tempted by 50m for a young proven star with added potential. Your points about the injuries and the contract are very important and relevant, and that’s why I think next summer is the time to strike provided he doesn’t renew his deal. 25-30m next summer would be a phenomenal deal, and he’s my dream midfield signing, but this summer it all depends what gladbach feel personally with the player. Maybe it’ll be an eriksen situation where he has made it clear he’s not renewing, in which case his price may be lower than expected this summer. One can only dream.
 

Timberwolf

Well-Known Member
Jan 17, 2008
10,328
50,217
I might be in the minority here, but if we’re planning on utilizing PEH as a DM, I’d rather use Sissoko in that role.
I think Sissoko is a useful option to have in that role and he's done fine in the past 2 games, but he's so clearly one of the weak links in the side and should definitely not be our go-to DM.

He's got great stamina, gives 100% and works as hard as anyone, but he doesn't read the game well defensively and his passing is mostly either slow and conservative, or inconsistent and wayward. I swear he passes a simple ball straight out of play at least twice a game due to misjudging the weight of pass. When we're sitting deep under Mourinho, it's vital that we move the ball quickly and accurately to our forward players in the transition. Sissoko decidedly does not do this.

Hojbjerg may not be perfect, but I'd still pick him over Sissoko every time.
 

doctor stefan Freud

the tired tread of sad biology
Sep 2, 2013
15,170
72,169
My point exactly. I like Hojbjerg, much in the same way I like Sissoko. The issue I’ve always had with Sissoko defensively is he loves to burst forward with the ball and leave gaps. However, under Jose, he seems to be more disciplined and positionally aware and mature. Again, I’ll probably be in the minority, but I believe Sissoko is a more physical, athletic, and dominant version of Hojbjerg. I’ve honestly seen very little to suggest he’s leaps and bounds better than Sissoko in possession, he often seems nervous on the ball. But again, just my opinion. (Pep said he could be Philipp lahm’s replacement at Bayern so who am I to judge).I’d prefer we sign someone that provides the best qualities of Sissoko and PEH in one. Someone with world class athleticism, defensive awareness, selfless work for the team, and added class on the ball. That for me would be Denis Zakaria, but would cost a premium and probably out of our price range. Which is why I understand PEH would be the best buy for us in the position given the likely small fee. He would improve the squad (and maybe even the first XI) given the circumstances, and hopefully his qualities would fit perfectly into what Jose is trying to do here.
You’ve got a valid point. I’d like to see Sissoko utilised as a DM, providing we had another specialised DM with a different skill set. You could easily rotate the two if we’re setting up for a 433 system, rotate or even play together in a 4231. Ideally we’d need a strong tackler with good positional awareness and have a decent passing range. Sissoko is essentially a machine, someone who hounds the opposition, relies on his superior athleticism and work rate to shield the defence but can get caught out of position moving forward. I think we have room in the squad for him and another DM that can be rotated or even play together
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,389
I think Sissoko is a useful option to have in that role and he's done fine in the past 2 games, but he's so clearly one of the weak links in the side and should definitely not be our go-to DM.

He's got great stamina, gives 100% and works as hard as anyone, but he doesn't read the game well defensively and his passing is mostly either slow and conservative, or inconsistent and wayward. I swear he passes a simple ball straight out of play at least twice a game due to misjudging the weight of pass. When we're sitting deep under Mourinho, it's vital that we move the ball quickly and accurately to our forward players in the transition. Sissoko decidedly does not do this.

Hojbjerg may not be perfect, but I'd still pick him over Sissoko every time.

Sissoko's biggest strength IMO is his ability to pick the ball up in deep positions and power up the pitch with it. As long as there's an easy pass at the end of it he's a real asset. However, charging off up the pitch is precisely what you don't want your DM to do, so giving him that role would be dangerous for the team and not very beneficial to Sissoko either.
 
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Timberwolf

Well-Known Member
Jan 17, 2008
10,328
50,217
Sissoko's biggest strength IMO is his ability to pick the ball up in deep positions and power up the pitch with it. As long as there's an easy pass at the end of it he's a real asset. However, charging off up the pitch is precisely what you don't want your DM to do, so giving him that role would be dangerous for the team and not very beneficial to Sossoko either.
Exactly. In recent games as the most deep lying midfielder he's clearly been ordered not to make many of those runs and to stay back so we're neutering one of his best assets.

IMO Sissoko would be best used either on the right of a midfield 3 or as an option off the bench.
 

delawarespur

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
2,371
13,361
I think Sissoko is a useful option to have in that role and he's done fine in the past 2 games, but he's so clearly one of the weak links in the side and should definitely not be our go-to DM.

He's got great stamina, gives 100% and works as hard as anyone, but he doesn't read the game well defensively and his passing is mostly either slow and conservative, or inconsistent and wayward. I swear he passes a simple ball straight out of play at least twice a game due to misjudging the weight of pass. When we're sitting deep under Mourinho, it's vital that we move the ball quickly and accurately to our forward players in the transition. Sissoko decidedly does not do this.

Hojbjerg may not be perfect, but I'd still pick him over Sissoko every time.
Yes, Hojbjerg is technically superior to Sissoko, and I agree we need another option to start over and rotate with Sissoko. At least in this current setup, Sissoko’s running and powerful athleticism is vital in covering gaps on the right and Hojbjerg isn’t as suited to that role currently. But if we are planning on a 3 man midfield in the future, Hojbjerg fits the bill perfectly as cheap, young, PL experience, and big club experience, and I agree he would be better than Sissoko in that role. It’s always nice to have options and to get one of that quality for that price is a no brainer.
 

gavspur

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,255
8,686
The fact that no one really knows Sissoko’s best position still, kind of tells you all you need to know about the guy. I love his work rate and personality, but he’s a limited footballer. He could have been the new Viera, but is lacking some basic skills. He is not class, unlike Viera who it hurts to say was. Siss is doing a job at the moment, and fair play to him, but he doesn’t half make a simple pass look difficult. I’ve rarely seen him give a nice pass to someone that they can control or run on to without breaking stride. It’s all a bit haphazard.. PEH would be a big improvement, the guy can pass very well, putting us on the front foot in an instant.. When Siss bursts forward, no knows what the hell is gonna happen next, must be so frustrating for our attackers.
 

delawarespur

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
2,371
13,361
Overall, I would say my point is my that Sissoko is a very useful to use in games where covering distance and running is necessary like against United recently. Without him, we are left with no midfielder who can dominate and control a match with physicality. I think it’s important that we have someone like sissoko or sign a Fabinho/ndidi type should sissoko leave to be able to compete with the likes of pogba physically. Of course in games we are dominating the ball Hojbjerg is much preferred to sissoko, I just hope we retain that physicality in midfield for situations/matches that require such attributes.
 
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