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The Transfer Wishlist Thread

C0YS

Just another member
Jul 9, 2007
12,780
13,817
I remember when Hojbjerg was a 20 year old at Bayern Munich and we were linked. The majority on here were jizzing over the prospect of signing him.

Now hes Prem proven, posting up the best defensive stats in the league and in coming into his prime years nobody wants him.

NUTTERS!
He's not though, he is posting the best stats of a very specific kind. When taking his base stats overall he does well for his position but nothing exceptional. Similarly, every Southampton midfielder is posting great defensive stats, because its the nature of how they play. Namely, turn over the ball in a condensed midfielder to hit teams quickly. In fact, compare his stats with Ward Prowse (a much better player) and Romeu and they read very similarly defensively

Tackles
H -2.4 WP - 2.5 R - 2.1
Interceptions
H - 1.5 WP- 1.3 R - 1
Blocks
H - 0.1 WP - 0.3 R - 0.4
Dribbled past per game
H - 1.8 WP - 1.6 R - 1.8

The main issue is, it is only because he was a hyped 20 year old why some people are enthusiastic about signing him, but far from his time in Southampton increasing his value it actually has shown him not to be close to the level of that early hyped. Again, there are many reasons why this signing makes sense, largely down to the fact that he wouldn't break the bank, he is competent at his role and he has a strong personality that Jose would like. But, he won't fix everything, and would be unlikely to be a starter. Rather, he would be an option that would allow us to play with greater flexibility and give us an option.
 

C0YS

Just another member
Jul 9, 2007
12,780
13,817
We have a good return anytime we get players from Southampton and we should keep the streak going with this. Plus Højbjerg already knows the league, has clocked over 100 appearances and is still young enough (24) to add to his game, which would only help our team. Honestly, I'd take an understated, competent, resilient and vocal DM to anchor our midfield if it meant that GLC & Tanguy were given the opportunity to forge a partnership and thrive. Crazy to think that those two have a legitimate chance at being world class players for us once they've settled in and Mou has addressed the team imbalances.
So would I, I just don't think Hojbjerg is the answer. This Southampton is not remotely comparable to the one which we stole some of their best players from. That Southampton was a Europa league chasing team with some fantastic players, finishing in the top 8 four seasons in a row. the current version is a team which is fighting to stay up. The quality is not comparable.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
We have a good return anytime we get players from Southampton and we should keep the streak going with this. Plus Højbjerg already knows the league, has clocked over 100 appearances and is still young enough (24) to add to his game, which would only help our team. Honestly, I'd take an understated, competent, resilient and vocal DM to anchor our midfield if it meant that GLC & Tanguy were given the opportunity to forge a partnership and thrive. Crazy to think that those two have a legitimate chance at being world class players for us once they've settled in and Mou has addressed the team imbalances.

But he isnt a defensive midfielder.

@C0YS is right in his posts, I’m glad someone else has seen the same as me. Plus southampton fans I know, who know their football, just don’t honk he’s great. They’d be more than happy if we paid £20 million for him.
 

Montalbano

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2018
3,917
18,685
So would I, I just don't think Hojbjerg is the answer. This Southampton is not remotely comparable to the one which we stole some of their best players from. That Southampton was a Europa league chasing team with some fantastic players, finishing in the top 8 four seasons in a row. the current version is a team which is fighting to stay up. The quality is not comparable.
Really agree with all of your posts re: Hojbjerg. I've been trying to preach the same about PEH. I strongly doubt he's the long term solution for us and think we'd be better off continuing to develop Winks and Skipp [who share similar skillets as PEH] than splashing 25-30m. Not sure where the hype and groupthink around him being the solution for us began. Wishful thinking.

I think we'll find out these links are mostly his agent talking. Can't imagine Jose gunning hard for him either.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,388
Really agree with all of your posts re: Hojbjerg. I've been trying to preach the same about PEH. I strongly doubt he's the long term solution for us and think we'd be better off continuing to develop Winks and Skipp [who share similar skillets as PEH] than splashing 25-30m. Not sure where the hype and groupthink around him being the solution for us began. Wishful thinking.

I think we'll find out these links are mostly his agent talking. Can't imagine Jose gunning hard for him either.

I think we'd lose one of Winks or Skipp if we signed him, and I don't want that. If we're going to sign anyone for DM it has to real quality or we might as well stick with what we already have and see how they go. There's also the problem of Jose crow-barring Dele in all the time which takes out a CM option.
 

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
Anyone who pays any attention to what the weirdos on Saintsweb say clearly don't remember the bollocks they came up with when we got Poch, Toby and Wanyama.
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
7,958
29,657
Really agree with all of your posts re: Hojbjerg. I've been trying to preach the same about PEH. I strongly doubt he's the long term solution for us and think we'd be better off continuing to develop Winks and Skipp [who share similar skillets as PEH] than splashing 25-30m. Not sure where the hype and groupthink around him being the solution for us began. Wishful thinking.

I think we'll find out these links are mostly his agent talking. Can't imagine Jose gunning hard for him either.

A lot of it stems from the squad needing reinvigoration and that can be best achieved by adding new players to the fold. PEH is the perfect storm as he plays for a team that we've had history of getting great value out of players from, his expiring contract, the fact the he would fill a void in our team and has experience in the league (which reduces how much time he would need to settle in) coupled with our new financial reality make him a solid deal. @C0YS wrote some great points as PEH is not my 1st choice to fill the DM position. I would rather Skipp get minutes or us raiding Tolouse for Sangare ( IMO he has a higher ceiling and would dominate that position for us). But given how Levy operates and those factors RE: PEH, I think this deal is destined to happen.
 

mr ashley

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
3,126
8,524
A lot of it stems from the squad needing reinvigoration and that can be best achieved by adding new players to the fold. PEH is the perfect storm as he plays for a team that we've had history of getting great value out of players from, his expiring contract, the fact the he would fill a void in our team and has experience in the league (which reduces how much time he would need to settle in) coupled with our new financial reality make him a solid deal. @C0YS wrote some great points as PEH is not my 1st choice to fill the DM position. I would rather Skipp get minutes or us raiding Tolouse for Sangare ( IMO he has a higher ceiling and would dominate that position for us). But given how Levy operates and those factors RE: PEH, I think this deal is destined to happen.
Firstly I don’t think we can criticise Southampton fans for getting pissy about a player who expressed an interest in leaving, and then undersell that players talents. The way our fans turned on Eriksen shows we’re no better.
Hojbjerg isn’t the answer at CDM. I can think of countless players I’d prefer. Zakaria/Soumare/ Ndidi/ Roca/Neves to name but a few.
But if you believe the reports that we are skint, and will need to trade to bring players in, it’s easier to see the upside of Hojbjerg.
We can trade KWP, possibly a straight swap. He’ll bring additional solidity and positional sense to a vital area of the pitch. Neither winks nor Sissoko have shown they can play there effectively. Dier has been moved back to CB, and Skipp is still to young to be certain about.
Is he the first choice option? No.
Is it a smart deal given the circumstances? I think so
 

mr ashley

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
3,126
8,524
Well, I think you bring in Ngakia and if somebody pays for Aurier you then look to bring in another.

I'm thinking firmly with my 'we will have no money' head on.

I think with Ngakia and his 2 performances against Liverpool hes shown he could probably push Aurier for his place.
Admittedly, I haven’t seen much of Ngakia. His YouTube highlights (I know) aren’t much to shout about - unless I’ve missed something. If we’re serious about him, we might as well keep KWP.
 

DiVaio

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2020
4,173
17,393
Hojbjerg isn’t the answer at CDM. I can think of countless players I’d prefer. Soumare
If Hojbjerg isn't the answer at CDM, Soumare isn't either. Soumare isn't a CDM and he's not better than Hojbjerg in defence. Neves too.
 
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WiganSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
15,974
32,682
IIRC a fair share of them massively rated Toby - it was more just sour grapes in that case and a few of them decided he was average as soon as it was clear he was leaving.

There are a number of Saints fans who seem to think Hojbjerg is solid, but I haven't seen a single one that is truly gutted about the prospect of him leaving. It's not exactly a ringing endorsement.
It seems to be the same people rating Hojbjerg who rate Dier as a DM. Mistaking good character for good ability.

To the objective naked eye he just looks very average. Looks slow, OK passer but nothing brilliant, fairly tenacious in spite of looking quite weak physically and that's about it. In terms of use for us he'd be better than Sissoko and that's about it. I can only assume we want to sign him because we think we can improve him somehow, because I just don't see anything special. I don't see the quality.

With all funds directed to DM which should be possible, we can do a lot better imo.
 

mr ashley

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
3,126
8,524
If Hojbjerg isn't the answer at CDM, Soumare isn't either. Soumare isn't a CDM and he's not better than Hojbjerg in defence.
Yes I’m interested in the Lille connection with Soumare. I think he might have more physical attributes to be in the Kante mould. Plus Sacramento seems to be a fan. He’s another hypothetical transfer though, like Ndidi and Neves
Great editing btw!
 

mr ashley

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
3,126
8,524
It seems to be the same people rating Hojbjerg who rate Dier as a DM. Mistaking good character for good ability.

To the objective naked eye he just looks very average. Looks slow, OK passer but nothing brilliant, fairly tenacious in spite of looking quite weak physically and that's about it. In terms of use for us he'd be better than Sissoko and that's about it. I can only assume we want to sign him because we think we can improve him somehow, because I just don't see anything special. I don't see the quality.

With all funds directed to DM which should be possible, we can do a lot better imo.
I guess we’re back to the point about which hole in the squad needs fixing the most. Some people say CDM, some say RB and some say a versatile FWD.
Then we’ve got the realistic rumours that we’ve got little to no budget, so have to be creative with incomings.
We also have the problem of not adding to the playing squad, to refresh and bring competition for places (as we know only too well).
There’s no way Hojbjerg is Jose’s ultimate first pick at cdm. But in a cash plus player deal ( I’m guessing £5mil + KWP) that ticks a lot of boxes.
It’s also worth noting that the stats tell you a lot, but never the mentality of a player, their adaptability or concentration. Maybe there something there we haven’t seen, and the stats don’t show us.
Sometimes an underwhelming transfer can turn into a good one. Was anyone that excited about Alderweireld or Dier when we signed them? They turned out pretty well after all
 

dirtydave

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2004
1,333
463
The Mrs has family who go to Saints games a lot and I've been dragged along, kicking and screaming, more than a few times this season (I loved it when we beat them in the replay).
I really like Hojbjerg and think of him as an intelligent deep lying playmaker who has a great engine, an eye for a tackle and a killer pass in him.
For me he's been Saints best player on numerous occasions this season and last and we'd be getting a bargain if we snap the guy up. I believe he is very ambitious and would get better under Mourinho.
I found some stats which seem to agree my opinion, but stats ever tell the whole picture.
 

Wizzy77

Well-Known Member
Sep 1, 2019
1,006
4,316
Really like the look of Patson Daka. Zambian striker. 22 goals in 24 this season. Salzburg replacement of a certain wonderkid that went to Dortmund.
 

JayB

Well-Known Member
Aug 24, 2011
6,652
26,046
Thank you for your assessment @dirtydave. I can understand why so many have doubts about Hojbjerg — he lacks the athleticism that many crave for the DM position in order to unleash Ndombele and Lo Celso, there’s reason to wonder whether his ball recovery stats are just a product of Saints’ setup, and he doesn’t have the ability on the ball of a Fernandinho or Fabinho — so hearing from someone who sees a lot of his matches is definitely reassuring.

He wouldn’t be my first choice if it weren’t for the Covid-induced austerity, but I can see the sense in it. For me the biggest question is whether he’s a better option than Sangare, who should be available very cheaply.
 

Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
26,945
61,824
I remember them saying they weren't fussed about losing toby though either so I don't think it's the best barometer.

Many in here weren't bothered about losing Eriksen or Walker too. Never underestimate the bitterness of a betrayed fan.
 

Dirtysanchez6

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2018
1,455
5,638
I agree with that to an extent, but you don't want your Wes Browns and John O'Sheas to be your 1st choice options, the ones you are relying on to play week in/week out. Those guys did a job at Utd and were important, but the real reason they won every trophy under the sun was because they had the likes of Rio, Vidic and Keane ahead of them in the pecking order.
He has far more talent than brown and O’Shea ffs
 

Dirtysanchez6

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2018
1,455
5,638
I’ll take hojbjerg over Harry winks any day of the week ? it’s funny the ones not rating hojbjerg seem to love winks lol
 

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