Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Locotoro]

The stats say he's one of the best midfielders in the world. Above average on almost every single metric and elite in plenty.

His leadership qualities are also great, and I find it crazy that some almost use them as a negative against him.

There's a reason he's played almost every minute he's available under 2 of the greatest managers of the last 20 years.

He has the toughest job on the pitch for us. Given our system he plays 2v3 or even 2v4 every game, and still manages to fight and claw his way to a good performance most weeks.

Some players are underrated on SC, but with PEH it's worse than that. He's way beyond underrated that I almost can't fathom it. What aren't you seeing?

This is so true.

We often forget that he and Bentancur are usually playing in a double pivot against midfield 3 most weeks. He's suffering from the Ben Davies LB effect. He's a solid 7 almost every match. He doesn't have skills like Ronaldinho or cutting passes like Xavi and he doesn't power through a team like Yaya Toure did but he does everything the manager asks and nothing less some fans equate that mediocrity but there's a reason why he's been the first choice since he signed for us even though we signed an additional first team CMs during that time.

 

[McFlash]

The stats say he's one of the best midfielders in the world. Above average on almost every single metric and elite in plenty.

His leadership qualities are also great, and I find it crazy that some almost use them as a negative against him.

There's a reason he's played almost every minute he's available under 2 of the greatest managers of the last 20 years.

He has the toughest job on the pitch for us. Given our system he plays 2v3 or even 2v4 every game, and still manages to fight and claw his way to a good performance most weeks.

Some players are underrated on SC, but with PEH it's worse than that. He's way beyond underrated that I almost can't fathom it. What aren't you seeing?

I get massive Carrick vibes from him. Not in the way that they are comparable players but because plenty on here just seem unable to see what he brings to the team.

There were plenty on here who just couldn't get what Carrick used to do because he wasn't a blood and thunder DM, he was intelligent at blocking passing lines and intercepting the pass.
What he didn't do was just as important as what he did but because he wasn't haring around, crunching tackles, people missed the subtle things he did.

Hojbjerg is a different style, of course and while he might not be overly eye-catching but he's a very decent player. Good in several aspects and what he brings (and leaves) in the pitch is criminally underrated.

 

[Joshua shepherd]

I get massive Carrick vibes from him. Not in the way that they are comparable players but because plenty on here just seem unable to see what he brings to the team.

There were plenty on here who just couldn't get what Carrick used to do because he wasn't a blood and thunder DM, he was intelligent at blocking passing lines and intercepting the pass.
What he didn't do was just as important as what he did but because he wasn't haring around, crunching tackles, people missed the subtle things was did.

Hojbjerg is a different style, of course and while he might not be overly eye-catching but he's a very decent player. Good in several aspects and what he brings (and leaves) in the pitch is criminally underrated.

Carrick was an incredible passer though, that was clear to see.

 

[McFlash]

Carrick was an incredible passer though, that was clear to see.

Oh yes, totally.
Just seemed that quite a few thought that was all he brought to the team, missing everything else he did because he wasn't quick, or a destroyer.

 

[robotsonic]

Some players are underrated on SC, but with PEH it's worse than that. He's way beyond underrated that I almost can't fathom it. What aren't you seeing?

For me I think it's 9000% that he just doesn't look classy doing what he does, and I know I for one am guilty of underrating him because of it and have to stop myself in the moment

My wife can strike a ball more cleanly than he can. He's like the inverse Tom Huddlestone in that respect. Every time he connects with a longer pass or scores I almost can't believe that it's worked and that he meant it as his technique looks so awkward that he looks like he's scuffed it.

Absolutely invaluable player though as rightly none of the above matters. He's scored some important goals for us too over the months now and that's not even his job. But definitely feel that he's underrated because he doesn't look sexy going about his business and that we're spoiled a bit as fans by having watched (and luckily still do watch) some players with real ability on the ball to go with their effectiveness.

 

[sundanceyid10]

I sometimes wonder what games people are watching. There are actually people who don't rate Hojberg, I don't know anything about his stats yesterday but I know what I saw and he was involved the whole time all across the park. Late on yesterday he broke out on his own carried the ball almost the length of the pitch and was eventually surrounded by defenders who put it off for our throw in by which time none of our forwards had even got up the pitch.

I never said I don’t rate him, he does have a role. He was poor at the weekend though and often slows play down. That doesn’t mean I don’t rate him, just I think better midfielders required if we really want to achieve something.

I want us to keep him though, I think he would be great as a great sun coming in games when we are ahead, as he chases every ball and would be great for seeing out games.

 

[Locotoro]

For me I think it's 9000% that he just doesn't look classy doing what he does, and I know I for one am guilty of underrating him because of it and have to stop myself in the moment

My wife can strike a ball more cleanly than he can. He's like the inverse Tom Huddlestone in that respect. Every time he connects with a longer pass or scores I almost can't believe that it's worked and that he meant it as his technique looks so awkward that he looks like he's scuffed it.

Absolutely invaluable player though as rightly none of the above matters. He's scored some important goals for us too over the months now and that's not even his job. But definitely feel that he's underrated because he doesn't look sexy going about his business and that we're spoiled a bit as fans by having watched (and luckily still do watch) some players with real ability on the ball to go with their effectiveness.

It's funny because I asked my Swedish friend to describe Kulusevski in two words before we signed him and the words he used were "awkwardly brilliant". And I see it too.

Sometimes when a players style doesn't look smooth and fluid we think they lack technique but the truth is that is just how they run and move. A bit like Michael Johnson doing the 200m in an upright fashion. He make look awkward but it's effective

 

[Jamturk]

If I was going to war I would want Pierre beside me.

 

[mil1lion]

He had a 96% pass completion today. Which is extremely high

I didn't see enough progressive passes from him and he missed some opportunities to play forward quicker. I think his stats show he was more safe than real quality on the ball. He's usually better with forward balls than he showed in this game. Love his overall involvement though and he always wants the ball.

 

[McFlash]

There's a good few minutes chat about him in the View From The Lane pod. Worth a listen and they do refer to him as a marmite player.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

 

[Snarfalicious]

I don’t care what anyone says, I love the guy. If Jordan Henderson can play a key role in one of the best sides in recent history, no reason PEH can’t either.

 

[Ginola+Tonic]

Criminally underrated player.

I love him!!!!

 

[McFlash]

The Club posted a great little vid of him earlier that I saw on Facebook, which I'll try to link here but forgive me if it doesn't work (maybe someone more savvy can have a go)...

Lovely football from Hojbjerg! | Pierre pulling the strings ? | By Tottenham Hotspur | Facebook

2.4M views, 17K likes, 2.7K loves, 290 comments, 267 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Tottenham Hotspur: Pierre pulling the strings ?

fb.watch

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

I didn't see enough progressive passes from him and he missed some opportunities to play forward quicker. I think his stats show he was more safe than real quality on the ball. He's usually better with forward balls than he showed in this game. Love his overall involvement though and he always wants the ball.

His stats from last year showed surprisingly high numbers of attacking passes- I think our best actually...when he does put a clever ball through its seems surprising but he actually does it quite regularly.

 

[jurgen11]

He is da bomb, da viking bomb....needs a song

 

[ohtottenham!]

He is da bomb, da viking bomb....needs a song

...I just don't think you understand, he's a very handy Skandi, he'll often steal your candy, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg...

 

[PhC]

He’s Danish
He’s French
Never on the bench
He steals
The ball
Always gives his all
Pierre, Pierre, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

 

[ohtottenham!]

He’s Danish
He’s French
Never on the bench
He steals
The ball
Always gives his all
Pierre, Pierre, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

...And even though he's Danish,
He's neither pastry nor a bacon,
and even when he's aching, he 'll always be a-shaking,
Pierre Emile Hojberg...

 

[Crow]

...And even though he's Danish,
He's neither pastry nor a bacon,
and even when he's aching, he 'll always be a-shaking,
Pierre Emile Hojberg...

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