Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[mil1lion]

And why Ange should have played him FAR more. His insistence on starting Bissouma over him was very costly.

I don't think instead of Bissouma makes sense though. He's clearly not as good in that deepest role. I've always felt he's better when he can press up the pitch. He would be more natural competing with Sarr. He's underrated in the final third as well. He's clearly not fancied but he's been a good servant to the club. I do feel it highlights that replacing him should not be taken lightly though. We should be signing genuine quality in his place.

 

[EastUpperDK82]

Crazy numbers behind Højbjerg's man of the match performance.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg was the player of the match, and take a look at these numbers behind the Dane's performance against England.

As many shots on goal (4) as the entire English team combined.

Most touches in the match (108).

Most passes in the match (83).

Most balls won in the match (10).

Most duels won in the match (9).

Most tackles (6).

Most shots (5).

 

[Locotoro]

So why does he appear to be so ill fitted for Ange's style of football despite giving a performance that would create calls for us to sign him had he not already be ours

 

[npearl4spurs]

I dunno would we have had any more points if it was him starting more than Bissouma after the first 10 matches?? He's been a good player for us too

 

[mil1lion]

So why does he appear to be so ill fitted for Ange's style of football despite giving a performance that would create calls for us to sign him had he not already be ours

I think first of all international football is different to the premier league. In the EPL teams press far better and it pushes Hojbjerg deeper and that's where he struggles. Then when teams play a low block they're very difficult to find openings against and Hojbjerg struggles again in those tight spaces. He just doesn't have the ability to withstand a press or the intricacies to play further forward in our team.

 

[tevezito]

So why does he appear to be so ill fitted for Ange's style of football despite giving a performance that would create calls for us to sign him had he not already be ours

First of all, he's not a 6, so if he wants to play his best position he's behind Sarr and Bentancaur to start with, and maybe soon behind Bergvall next season too.

Secondly, he enjoys the slower pace of international football, and so will look much better if he goes to Italy or Spain, than he does playing for a high tempo team in the Premier League.

 

[tevezito]

I think first of all international football is different to the premier league. In the EPL teams press far better and it pushes Hojbjerg deeper and that's where he struggles. Then when teams play a low block they're very difficult to find openings against and Hojbjerg struggles again in those tight spaces. He just doesn't have the ability to withstand a press or the intricacies to play further forward in our team.

A million times better reply!

 

[montylynch]

Superb performance, as someone said if he wasn't ours we'd be all over him lol.

He's one of a host of players that excel for their country but looks a completely different player for his club. Probably fired up playing against England too. Left a bit on Bellingham early too if I remember.

 

[DannyNZ]

Played in the right positions and given the opportunities both PEH and GLC could have added a lot to a midfield that struggled consistently in the post new year period. However Ange preferred Bent, Madd, Sarr and Kulu and frankly none of them shone consistently in that period.

 

[ItsBoris]

So why does he appear to be so ill fitted for Ange's style of football despite giving a performance that would create calls for us to sign him had he not already be ours

Can you imagine how bad Hojberg would look in England's team?

I still think he's a good player but suits the football Mourinho and Conte wanted to play more.

 

[ItsBoris]

First of all, he's not a 6, so if he wants to play his best position he's behind Sarr and Bentancaur to start with, and maybe soon behind Bergvall next season too.

Secondly, he enjoys the slower pace of international football, and so will look much better if he goes to Italy or Spain, than he does playing for a high tempo team in the Premier League.

I'm starting to wonder if anyone is, in fact, a 6!

 

[gibbospurs]

Price tag will be better after a good tournament hopefully? I mean, we’ve all seen him week in week out to know he’s not as good as his showings internationally. That’s why you should never buy off of a good tournament only.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

makes you realise how unsafe the world is knowing there are people out there who want to sell hojbjerg for 15m and then spend triple that on conor gallagher.

think Ange is one of them? not saying that I agree with him though

 

[yido_number1]

Price tag will be better after a good tournament hopefully? I mean, we’ve all seen him week in week out to know he’s not as good as his showings internationally. That’s why you should never buy off of a good tournament only.

Can't even see what he did that made him stand out last night. Played against a shocking England team and had a couple of shots.

 

[ofosh]

I've logged in especially for this post today.

I've been fairly critical of PEH in the past. Last night's performance was what I've been waiting to see from him for a very long time. Unfortunately, it was for Denmark and not Spurs but hey.

However, its a good job for England that he cant hit the back end of a donkey with a banjo!

 

[FrankSpencer]

We should not be letting him go cheap, he offers a hell of a lot in the midfield and many teams around the world would be lucky to have in their sides!

Fair enough, he doesn’t suit the Ange system, but that most certainly doesn’t make him a poorer player.

 

[HildoSpur]

He looks great in international football but that does not make him good for the way we play. Hopefully he continues to do well for Denmark and it makes it easier for us to move him on.

 

[funkycoldmedina]

We should not be letting him go cheap, he offers a hell of a lot in the midfield and many teams around the world would be lucky to have in in their sides!

Fair enough, he doesn’t suit the Ange system, but that most certainly doesn’t make him a poorer player.

He only has a year left on his contract and although we had interest last year, no one that he wanted was prepared to pay a fee even close to what we want. We have to be realistic as does he. The issue seems to be that although some big clubs, like Atletico Madrid want him and he wants them he's not their main priority so we end up with a stalemate.

 

[brasil_spur]

I'm starting to wonder if anyone is, in fact, a 6!

Surely Kalvin Phillips is?

 

[brasil_spur]

We should not be letting him go cheap, he offers a hell of a lot in the midfield and many teams around the world would be lucky to have in their sides!

Fair enough, he doesn’t suit the Ange system, but that most certainly doesn’t make him a poorer player.

This.

Like Emerson and Lo Celso - they are all very decent players, but they have to be in a system that plays to their strengths. Shoe-horning them into Ange's style of football doesn't get the best out of them. Much like shoe-horning Kane into Southgate's "style" of play has him looking like useless.