Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Montalbano]

His highlights, beast

PEH was certainly not MEH against United. Great performance.

 

[EQP]

His highlights, beast

He is so disruptive. Can't wait to see him, GLC and Ndombele after the international break.

 

[JCRD]

I still think he is a tad slow and needs someone pacey to play beside him but what I love about him is he is encouraging players around him. Just before the fifth goal, he was telling sanchez to keep calm, pointing to players in other areas to move.

Seems intelligent and composed and I love a composed intelligent player.

 

[Bulletspur]

Looks like I have to eat a humble pie. Fantastic game, I was happily proven wrong.

Me too. I honestly thought he was not much of an upgrade on Winks and co, but I am happy to be proved wrong.

 

[alexis]

What i liked about him and the rest of the team is that we had so much energy and no-one shirked their duties. Can you imagine Skrinniar in central defense we would have a team of many leaders who take the game by the scruff.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

I think in a podcast during the lockdown, PEH referred himself as a "glue" in the team and try to make his teammates play better. I think that he was not that impressive in Southampton is because now we have a much talented squad for him to "make the whole team better"

 

[ostrov]

Awesome performance and even spectacular assist. Quality signing.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Last two performances have been quality.

 

[Thenewcat]

I was worried after Everton when he was frankly atrocious, but the optimist in me said you can’t judge after one game. He’s improved every game since and was superb yesterday - I expected the breaking up of play and the ball winning, I didn’t expect the passing range and intelligent use of the ball, culminating in an inch perfect pass for Aurier’s goal. It really bugged me that people wanted to blame the defending for that one, it’s just a great overlap and a great ball

 

[George94]

I was worried after Everton when he was frankly atrocious, but the optimist in me said you can’t judge after one game. He’s improved every game since and was superb yesterday - I expected the breaking up of play and the ball winning, I didn’t expect the passing range and intelligent use of the ball, culminating in an inch perfect pass for Aurier’s goal. It really bugged me that people wanted to blame the defending for that one, it’s just a great overlap and a great ball

I was literally about to write a very similar post - but couldn't have said it better than this. ?

 

[joelstinton14]

Could well end up being our singing of the season.
Perfect foil for all our attacking talent to perform. They elevate his game, he elevates theirs.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Been on an upward trajectory since the Europa game where he was first deployed as the deepest midfielder. Preseason and vs Everton he played as more of a box to box presser and it didn't quite work (not helped by poor team pressing), but since then he has really grown into the DM role.

Says a lot about him as a player that he has adapted so quickly to this role as he has never really played there before, hence why a lot of commenters said he wasn't a true DM. Based on the last week he most certainly is! He's a leader, a fighter and most importantly an intelligent team player. I love that he's willing to be more disciplined to help the team, but funnily enough that sacrifice may make him a better player.

Let's hope he keeps it up, what he brought vs Utd was exactly what we've been missing since Poch's peak. Like others have said he has also been progressive on the ball. That assist for Aurier speaks for itself but he's played a lot of good line breaking passes recently, the one to Kane for the goal at Newcastle springs to mind immediately.

 

[muppetman]

I wonder if Ndombele is more confident of expressing himself knowing this guy is there to help if it goes south?

 

[double0]

I wonder if Ndombele is more confident of expressing himself knowing this guy is there to help if it goes south?

Ndombele also intercepted a few and scored. Sissoko also delivered a superbly weighted pass to Aurier for Son second goal.
It was a great team performance all round.

 

[wirE]

He looks to be the real deal. Good game yesterday but unfortunately for him, we have Son and Kane that runs the show and scores.

 

[Hazelton]

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but he actually leads the league in passes at the moment.

 

[carpediem991]

So refreshing to see him in there rather than the Sissoko - Winks double.
Hope he continues like that. Promising.

 

[14/04/91]

I still think he is a tad slow and needs someone pacey to play beside him but what I love about him is he is encouraging players around him. Just before the fifth goal, he was telling sanchez to keep calm, pointing to players in other areas to move.

Seems intelligent and composed and I love a composed intelligent player.

It's the one area of the pitch were pace doesn't really matter. It's all about speed of thought (the old phrase 'the first 5 yards are in his head') and how quickly he closes down. This allows him to make interceptions or tackles as soon as the opposition receive the ball. He did that untold times yesterday.

 

[PlayerX]

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.

 

[Jamturk]

It's the one area of the pitch were pace doesn't really matter. It's all about speed of thought (the old phrase 'the first 5 yards are in his head') and how quickly he closes down. This allows him to make interceptions or tackles as soon as the opposition receive the ball. He did that untold times yesterday.

Yep, his positioning and anticipation is superb.