Tottenham complete Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg transfer and ‘the Busquets of Bayern’ could be the key to unlocking Jose Mourinho’s Spurs side
Well folks, not long after the summer transfer window opened Spurs have made their first signing. No, I can’t believe it either.
Chairman Daniel Levy has kept to our ‘one Dane at all times’ quota by splashing out on midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton. The acquisition of the former Bayern Munich man ticks off a key position Jose Mourinho desperately needed cover for, and at a bargain price at that.
Much has been said about the sort of character Spurs are getting. Some already have reservations, largely because not two months ago he was stripped of the Southampton captaincy for being so public about wanting a move away.
Hojbjerg became Southampton captain at just 23 years old
It seems, however, that the unflinching personality joining the squad is very much like the manager bringing him in. Following the 9-0 defeat by Leicester back in October, the then Southampton man said: “if I speak from the heart, I don’t think it will end very well.” Now tell me that doesn’t sound like Mourinho.
But, Spurs can only see this temperament as a good thing. Despite heavy interest from Everton, it’s clear Tottenham was the only place for him from the start.
So, what else do we know about our new man? Let’s take a look.
What managers and teammates say about him
It doesn’t take a lot of digging to see the 25-year-old is a popular man.
From Pep Guardiola labelling him as the ‘Sergio Busquets of Bayern Munich’ at just 17, to Southampton team-mate Angus Gunn once saying: “If I didn’t know how old he was, I definitely wouldn’t say he is 23 years old,” it’s clear he’s come a long way in a short space of time.
Despite the waters being muddied towards the end of their relationship, Ralph Hasenhüttl was a keen admirer of his midfielder, often speaking at length about the Dane in his post-match press conferences over the last year.
If he’s good enough for Pep, he’s good enough for Jose – right?
Andros Townsend reveals how players’ wages can caused unrest in dressing rooms, as it did for him at Tottenham and Crystal Palace
Bayern Munich roots
On paper, Hojbjerg’s three-year stint at Bayern Munich wasn’t an overwhelmingly positive one. That’s not to say he wasn’t making headlines however, becoming their youngest ever player to make a first team appearance in the Bundesliga in 2013.
With just a smattering of appearances it must be said, he still managed to pick up a Champions League winners medal, two league titles and a Club World Cup medal during his time in Germany, already making him one of the more decorated players in the Spurs ranks.
Coming from such a good pedigree shouldn’t go unnoticed to Spurs fans, nor the fact he chose to take the step down from Bayern to Southampton to help further his career.
He’s not one to rest on his laurels.
Hojbjerg spent three years at Bayern between 2013-2016
What type of player Spurs are getting
There’s no denying the Dane is a strong presence in midfield.
Something Spurs have lacked in midfield is a bit of confidence, a bit of conviction. With Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko sometimes lacking the tenacity and bravery to really push forward, progress is often stunted in the Tottenham midfield and the forward line suffer as a result.
Hojbjerg won possession in midfield 157 times last season, the most of any player in the Premier League. His work rate and tactical astuteness will allow the likes of Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele to focus on doing their thing further up the pitch, safe in the knowledge someone is doing the ‘dirty work’ for them.
With a midfield man secured, Spurs will now turn their attention to signing a back-up to Harry Kane, with Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson the current favourite.
Summer arrivals of Hojbjerg and Wilson, plus outgoings including the likes of Juan Foyth and Serge Aurier, looks like a pretty successful one for Mourinho.
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