Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Mr Pink]

Not sure I like that one of our players would be worried about another signing unless he already sniffs a lack of confidence/faith from the manager...and Jose has started him plenty.

It should drive a player on.

 

[ajspurs]

Not sure I like that one of our players would be worried about another signing unless he already sniffs a lack of confidence/faith from the manager...and Jose has started him plenty.

It should drive a player on.

To be honest mate it's not factual, I wouldn't come to that conclusion as of now.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Don't disagree with that. Its a horror double act.

But that doesn't mean as individuals they are poor footballers. They are playing CM in a team that had fallen off a cliff under our best manager in modern years. They used to have a prime Rose and Walker running passed them, a rock solid Toby and Verts behind.

Now you're expecting Winks to be spreading 'Pirlos' in a Maureen team?

He's not faultless by any means, but people need to give their heads a wobble if they think hes a bad player.

He’s not a bad player he’s just not good enough for a top 4/6 club.

Against Sheff Utd and Palace we had 4 attackers on the pitch... 4 quality players yet due to the deadly duo’s negativity our 4 attacking players didn’t get a sniff. With a front for our Son, Bergwijn, Moura and Kane we should be destroying the likes of Sheff U and Palace.

We’ve four Rolls Royce’s up top and 2 Vauxhall Corsa’s in central midfield lol

 

[Mr Pink]

To be honest mate it's not factual, I wouldn't come to that conclusion as of now.

Oh I'm not assuming its fact, just commenting on the ITK snippet...if its accurate etc

 

[S17PUR]

I’ll probably get killed for this but I think Sissoko brings more on the pitch than Winks does.

But I totally understand the logic behind wanting to sell Sissoko over Winks.

Pace and power are the only things Sissoko has that Winks doesn't. Those are obviously useful attributes but in terms of footballing ability, Winks is miles ahead of Moussa.

I do fear that we're in a situation though where we'll sell someone we didn't really want to if we received a better offer than for someone we would actually rather sell.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Also, Winks is worried about this signing and what it means for his position. It’s a possibility he will be leaving

Winks isn’t really a number 6, or certainly hasn’t shown himself to be. He’s more a number 8, and may well fair much better with someone more specialised in the deeper midfield role. Interesting he feels that way, perhaps he’s been told something

 

[BuckeyeSpurs11]

Winks should continue training and learning the anchor position as well as his normal 8 and he’ll be fine. Plenty of opportunities to play - especially with the possibility of us playing 60 matches next year.

 

[ajspurs]

Oh I'm not assuming its fact, just commenting on the ITK snippet...if its accurate etc

Yeah I get you I just hope a narrative of him not being up for fighting for a place in the side doesn't materialise as I think that's harsh when we really don't know if that's the case, especially as I personally find that hard to believe! Not to shit on where that came from or anything. He seems like one of the last players who would act in such a way IMO.

 

[Joely]

Can see why Winks would be worried what with him probably having one eye on looking to get into the England squad for the Euros. If Mourinho goes with a 433, Hojbjerg would take the deepest position with one of the others going to Lo Celso takes one. The other who knows, especially with the Ndombele situation seemingly up in the air. If he does sort himself out, assume he would take the other but as things stand have little confidence in that happening.

With that in mind, gut feeling is if it's a choice out of Winks and Sissoko, Mourinho will go with Sissoko. No doubt he is severely lacking in terms of tactical ability but from a physical attributes and tactical perspective, can see Jose relying on him over Winks. Not to say Winks wouldn't get game time but not sure Mourinho will be making too many changes to a team he has settled on and Winks may find his playing time mainly in the Europa.

 

[Joshua]

Also, Winks is worried about this signing and what it means for his position. It’s a possibility he will be leaving

Well if he’s scared by a bit of competition there’s not much use in keeping him anyway

 

[Hotspur33]

I like that, but I am not too optimistic with Ndombele anymore TBH.

Probably not a very popular opinion here, but if going with 433, a midfield trio of GLC, PEH and Dele may be one of the most balanced midfield we could have in recent years... Skill, speed, tenacity, technical abilities and a certain eye for passes to Kane from the early-days Dele. Is really tantalising. And all 3 are so young who still have a ceiling yet to be reached but possible going new heights under Mourinho.

More popular than you might think!!! I was just about to post this exact opinion.
I think Dele is more than capable of playing in CM. And in a 3 he will still have license to do what he does best, arrive late in the box.

 

[Timberwolf]

I can't see Winks leaving cos of Hojbjerg. They're very different players and, while Winks can be frustrating, he's great at ticking over possession and knitting things together. It certainly wouldn't be a disaster to lose him, but I think it would be a case of 'you don't know what you've got til it's gone' and I'd far prefer that we sell Sissoko if we're looking to flog a CM.

If he's not happy being a squad player then that's his problem as, quite frankly, he's lucky to be a regular starter at a top 6 club and if we were to sell him you can practically guarantee he'd be taking a step down or getting 15 games a season at somewhere like City to fill their homegrown quota a la Delph. Even with Hojbjerg coming in, Winks would still comfortably get 30+ appearances here next year I suspect. On top of that I just can't see who would buy him. Not for the money Levy would be asking for anyway (in the region of 35-40 million knowing him).

 

[Mr Pink]

Yeah I get you I just hope a narrative of him not being up for fighting for a place in the side doesn't materialise as I think that's harsh when we really don't know if that's the case, especially as I personally find that hard to believe! Not to shit on where that came from or anything. He seems like one of the last players who would act in such a way IMO.

Yes it would surprise me as well. He comes across as a good pro and is very likeable.

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

But he is.

Being energetic and aggressive isn’t necessarily detrimental to a players awareness and picture of the game. Hojbjerg wasn’t my first choice as I love an old fashioned destroyer, but the khedira comparisons I’ve seen are pretty close. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

This guy doesn’t need to be Pirlo or Carrick, nor does he need to be Gattuso or David’s, he just needs to complement the the all rounded 8s we have a surplus of. I believe he will.

I am probably going to get shouted at here but Khedira is and was overrated, he is big and competent defensively but nothing more. For me, he encapsulates averageness in a footballer but because of his size he is useful.

I have not seen much of peh but if he is similar to Khedira then I would pass.

 

[ajspurs]

Yes it would surprise me as well. He comes across as a good pro and is very likeable.

Yeah I think the same. As a Spurs boy especially he must absolutely love turning up to training every day, putting on the shirt, playing in the new stadium etc. Comes across as a very down to Earth and hard working guy. Really if anything he should be happy that he's played as much as he has! Without trying to criticise him as a player

 

[C0YS]

I am probably going to get shouted at here but Khedira is and was overrated, he is big and competent defensively but nothing more. For me, he encapsulates averageness in a footballer but because of his size he is useful.

I have not seen much of peh but if he is similar to Khedira then I would pass.

I wish PEH was as good as Khedira. Being competent defensively is the main thing a defensive midfielder needs to do. It's the same with this sideways passing nonsense.

A sideways pass for a holding midfielder is normally the correct pass. Passing forward when there is an opportunity is good for sure. Similarly if receiving the ball, forcing the opposition to press into you and releasing the ball to a free teammate is often a much better pass than a risky forward one. This is what Winks does very well as a number 6. Very very well. His weaknesses are more in terms of the more defensive aspects of the role, and his body frame will always limit him in that respect. But, his defensive improvement is a major reason for our improved defence. But people still want him to play like a n8 at n6 which is just silly, they are completely different positions.

The thing is, next season we need two players for the position. Be it winks and PEH, or someone else and PEH. Loosing Winks would be a really bad deal unless we get a top offer. Like Trippier before him, he would get a move to a big club here or abroad no issues. Spurs fans criminally underrate their own players and seriously overrate players from other teams. This is common for a lot of clubs. But the way that some people seem to value our own players, makes Jose look like some miracle worker some how getting this crap to the top 6.

 

[spurs mental]

I am probably going to get shouted at here but Khedira is and was overrated, he is big and competent defensively but nothing more. For me, he encapsulates averageness in a footballer but because of his size he is useful.

I have not seen much of peh but if he is similar to Khedira then I would pass.

Sorry but Khedira wasn't overrated in the slightest. You don't play for Madrid and Juve by being that.

 

[nedley]

He’s not a bad player he’s just not good enough for a top 4/6 club.

Against Sheff Utd and Palace we had 4 attackers on the pitch... 4 quality players yet due to the deadly duo’s negativity our 4 attacking players didn’t get a sniff. With a front for our Son, Bergwijn, Moura and Kane we should be destroying the likes of Sheff U and Palace.

We’ve four Rolls Royce’s up top and 2 Vauxhall Corsa’s in central midfield lol

Nonsense.

He played a big part in us finishing in the top 4 numerous times.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I'm sure the Winks thing would be resolved pretty quickly after a chat with the manager. He probably just needs reassurance. Either way there should be plenty of gametime for the whole squad in the first half of the season.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

People saying winks isn’t up for the fight haha he’s literally broke into a top 6 clubs first team and become a main stay having coming through the academy. Literally only happens tiny % of players. He’s Tottenham through and through and wants to play for us every week

Yep, theres no way I'd sell him.

I think Hojbjerg coming in will make him a better player.