Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[mr ashley]

If we actually sign him, he’s already well placed to be the next Jenas in terms of match thread scapegoat
Also, worth having a look for quotes by the Galacticos about Makelele when he was their water carrier.
Its not a showcase position, but it’s far from easy to play well there

 

[spids]

I’ve had time to have a look at some of his stats now and it just backs up what I see on the pitch. I really don’t think he is going to be the answer to our prayers in the defensive midfield position. If he’s cheap (I can’t remember what we offered in January but if it’s over £15 million he’s not worth it) then fair enough, but there must be other players playing in his position in Europe that are better for around that value. It’s the easiest position on the pitch pretty much. Be in position, tackle and give the ball. If there aren’t 50 other players in the top divisions of Europe, including the PL who cant do that to a high standard then I’ll be surprised.

Name me an easier position than the water carrier?

Sorry mate but that is just plain wrong. Players like Makelele, Kante, Kheidera, Busquets do not grow on trees and it is a highly specialist position. A good DCM needs tends to be able to read the game better than the other players (to be able to be in the right position), and needs to be be two footed - from both a tackling and passing perspective (even if the passes can be simple). Most importantly a good DCM has to have tactical maturity, and a world class one will control the tempo of the game to suit the teams needs. If you think a DCM just has to stand in front of the CBs and tackle people and give the ball then I can only assume that you have not watched Dier try to play there for the last 18 months.

I do not know if PEH is, or will ever be, a 'top tier' DCM, and I actually doubt he will (at least nowhere near as good as the ones I listed above). But importantly Mourinho apparently thinks he is way better than Winks or Sissoko in that position, and with money being tight in the current climate it is a good way to improve our first XI within our budget. I think the vast majority of Spurs fans agree that DCM (along with RB) is the most glaring weakness in our first XI at present (and has been for over 18 months now).

PEH has won the ball in the middle third of the pitch more than any other premier league player in the last year. That suggests to me that he is worth a punt.

If anyone can play there then why does Hjobjerb have such superior statistics to Winks (who has played largely as our DCM this season and is arguably a better footballer from a technical perspective)....

Winks:
39 tackles.
34 interceptions.
14 aerial battles won.
3 blocked shots.
15 successful 50/50's
24 Fouls
9 Yellow cards

Hjobjerg:
80 tackles.
46 interceptions.
55 aerial battles won.
10 blocked shots.
40 successful 50/50's.
46 Fouls
5 Yellow cards

Stats are from 19/20 season Premier League games only.

UPDATE:
I thought it was worth comparing offensive stats between these two players as well, mainly as I was interested to show what we would be losing from our attacking play if we replaced Winks with a more specialist DCM like Hjobjerg.

Winks:
54.23 Passes per match
76 Accurate long balls
0 Assists
13 Shots
2 Shots on target
0 Goals

Hjobjerg:
55.24 Passes per match
106 Accurate long balls
1 Assists
46 Shots
11 Shots on target
0 Goals

Hjobjerg's statistics show he can offer more in a DCM role than Winks. He makes significantly more tackles and interceptions, brings aerial ability to the team that Winks simply does not, and appears to be more effective in the offensive phases as well. From a DCM perspective, it is interesting to note that Hjobjerg has made nearly twice as many fouls but only gets half the number of yellow cards. This suggests that he is much better at being in position to tactically foul to disrupt rather than being out of position and having to blatantly foul e.g. shirt pull (which is how Winks gets the majority of his yellow cards).

 

[diamond lights]

I never normally look at stats at all but did to see if it could change my mind on him from what I’ve seen watching him play and they didn’t.

As for Mourinho, I’m sure he’s not his first choice. He wanted Matic when he joined us for example. Let’s see how he does if he comes, I’ll be the first to admit I’m wrong, but I dont think he is going to solve the teams midfield problems.

All believable reports suggest he's the one Jose wants. Bayern graduate, highly rated by Pep, grafter, leader, captain and will do the ugly things well.
This will create balance and free up more creative players to cause damage while protecting the back door.
Can't believe people can't see this. I think he'll be a great addition. Might even bring out the best in Ndombele like Paul Stewart did for Gazza.

 

[GMI]

Personally I'm always very suspicious of these kinds of claims. The players will always credit the coach etc. But I think I had Klopp not signed so many good players, like Salah, Mane, Fabinho and VVD, then Liverpool would have just remained a top 6 club and the likes of Henderson would still not be that highly rated.

Give Henderson the exact same coaching, but with Everton's squad and I think his reputation would be the same it was a few years ago.

To be honest I never rated Dier as a DM and didn't think that much of big Vic either. But stick them in a team with prime Jan, Toby, Eriksen, Kane and Dembele and their reputations far out grow their ability. Had either of those two been playing as the DM next to Ryan Mason, Fazio, Soldado etc and I think they look as bad as they did last season.

I agree. A classic example is the old Ars*enal back five. You take Lee Dixon or Winterburn and stick them in the Spurs defence of that time and they would look very average. However the comparison fails as I’m not sure sending Dean Austin or Edinburgh (RIP) the other way would have made them any better as fullbacks...

 

[McFlash]

Sorry mate but that is just plain wrong. Players like Makelele, Kante, Kheidera, Busquets do not grow on trees and it is a highly specialist position. A good DCM needs tends to be able to read the game better than the other players (to be able to be in the right position), and needs to be be two footed - from both a tackling and passing perspective (even if the passes can be simple). Most importantly a good DCM has to have tactical maturity, and a world class one will control the tempo of the game to suit the teams needs. If you think a DCM just has to stand in front of the CBs and tackle people and give the ball then I can only assume that you have not watched Dier try to play there for the last 18 months.

I do not know if PEH is, or will ever be, a 'top tier' DCM, and I actually doubt he will (at least nowhere near as good as the ones I listed above). But importantly Mourinho apparently thinks he is way better than Winks or Sissoko in that position, and with money being tight in the current climate it is a good way to improve our first XI within our budget. I think the vast majority of Spurs fans agree that DCM (along with RB) is the most glaring weakness in our first XI at present (and has been for over 18 months now).

PEH has won the ball in the middle third of the pitch more than any other premier league player in the last year. That suggests to me that he is worth a punt.

If anyone can play there then why does Hjobjerb have such superior statistics to Winks (who has played largely as our DCM this season and is arguably a better footballer from a technical perspective)....

Winks:
39 tackles.
34 interceptions.
14 aerial battles won.
3 blocked shots.
15 successful 50/50's
24 Fouls
9 Yellow cards

Hjobjerg:
80 tackles.
46 interceptions.
55 aerial battles won.
10 blocked shots.
40 successful 50/50's.
46 Fouls
5 Yellow cards

Stats are from 19/20 season Premier League games only.

UPDATE:
I thought it was worth comparing offensive stats between these two players as well, mainly as I was interested to show what we would be losing from our attacking play if we replaced Winks with a more specialist DCM like Hjobjerg.

Winks:
54.23 Passes per match
76 Accurate long balls
0 Assists
13 Shots
2 Shots on target
0 Goals

Hjobjerg:
55.24 Passes per match
106 Accurate long balls
1 Assists
46 Shots
11 Shots on target
0 Goals

Hjobjerg's statistics show he can offer more in a DCM role than Winks. He makes significantly more tackles and interceptions, brings aerial ability to the team that Winks simply does not, and appears to be more effective in the offensive phases as well. From a DCM perspective, it is interesting to note that Hjobjerg has made nearly twice as many fouls but only gets half the number of yellow cards. This suggests that he is much better at being in position to tactically foul to disrupt rather than being out of position and having to blatantly foul e.g. shirt pull (which is how Winks gets the majority of his yellow cards).

Good post. ?

 

[sausage]

Indeed.

Name checks out, but with 259 posts in 15 years, which definition is it?

 

[razzmaster]

Journeyman is a term used to describe someone who is "competent," not someone who has travelled a lot.

Until recently, that described Henderson to a tee.

3 disagrees and a d'oh for this?
I despair at the lack of basic understanding of the English language.

Look it up in the dictionary

"any experienced, competent but routine worker or performer"

You can stop despairing now as it turns out those who disagreed with you knew more than you realised.

Also, seems your understanding of the English language isn't quite as good as you thought it was.

Both meanings are valid but yours is more associated with American sports.

 

[Timberwolf]

The past few pages of this thread really have been a journey, man.

 

[14/04/91]

Yes and no. Barkley was very keen to join us too but opted for Chelsea. So was Berahino. And Grealish. While it strengthens our hand, it’s not a license to take the piss

I’d be more confident that this is different.

By all accounts we went cold on Barkley (some itk remarked we had moved onto a different target for that summer, turned out to be the invisible man).

Berahino was on a long contract so WBA could charge exactly what they wanted.

Grealish was available and cheap right up until very rich new investors turned up & Villa didn’t need to sell below their desired price.

With Hojberg, he’s in the last year of his contract so holds the cards. Even if So’ton accept Everton’s bid, he won’t agree personal terms if he’s determined to join us. Then So’ton either accept our offer or pay him for one more year & lose him on a free.

 

[spids]

I’d be more confident that this is different.

By all accounts we went cold on Barkley (some itk remarked we had moved onto a different target for that summer, turned out to be the invisible man).

Berahino was on a long contract so WBA could charge exactly what they wanted.

Grealish was available and cheap right up until very rich new investors turned up & Villa didn’t need to sell below their desired price.

With Hojberg, he’s in the last year of his contract so holds the cards. Even if So’ton accept Everton’s bid, he won’t agree personal terms if he’s determined to join us. Then So’ton either accept our offer or pay him for one more year & lose him on a free.

Barkley severely tore his hamstring, much worse than Kane's this year (just google photos of his scar). It was the type of injury not all athletes come back from, so we understandably withdrew our interest.

 

[sausage]

You can stop despairing now as it turns out those who disagreed with you knew more than you realised.

Also, seems your understanding of the English language isn't quite as good as you thought it was.

Both meanings are valid but yours is more associated with American sports.


View attachment 70665

As I learnt in university - beware relying on Wikipedia for 'facts' that have no references to support them.

 

[The Opinionated Lurker]

As I learnt in university - beware relying on Wikipedia for 'facts' that have no references to support them.

Wikipedia pages always end with a ‘references‘ section though.

 

[sausage]

I’d be more confident that this is different.

By all accounts we went cold on Barkley (some itk remarked we had moved onto a different target for that summer, turned out to be the invisible man).

Berahino was on a long contract so WBA could charge exactly what they wanted.

Grealish was available and cheap right up until very rich new investors turned up & Villa didn’t need to sell below their desired price.

With Hojberg, he’s in the last year of his contract so holds the cards. Even if So’ton accept Everton’s bid, he won’t agree personal terms if he’s determined to join us. Then So’ton either accept our offer or pay him for one more year & lose him on a free.

I recall Barkley was Everton asking for too much, then he did his hammy after having a bit of a sit-out over the whole thing, then Chelsea hijacked our bid only to cancel the deal when it was too late for us to resurrect it. The "different target" was Sissoko, if my memory serves me correctly.

I don't think Hojbjerg or Spurs are in the favourable position - they know he wants to leave, but he's under contact. They know he wants us, and they know we want him, so they are perfectly happy to gamble and, I expect, still get £10m in the winter window (whenever that is) I expect.

 

[sausage]

Wikipedia pages always end with multiple references though.

When they have references they do - that one doesn't - hence don't rely on what Wikipedia says if it can't support it with a reference.

I could jump on and state that a journeyman is a type of leafy lettuce, such is the way Wikipedia works.

 

[Ionman34]

As I learnt in university - beware relying on Wikipedia for 'facts' that have no references to support them.

Indeed.

Taken from the Oxford Advanced learner dictionary,

journeyman
noun

/ˈdʒɜːnimən/

/ˈdʒɜːrnimən/
(plural journeymen

/ˈdʒɜːnimən/


/ˈdʒɜːrnimən/
)

1. (in the past) a person who was trained to do a particular job and who then worked for somebody else
2. a person who has training and experience in a job and is a reliable but not a brilliant worker

Anyway, enough derailing of the thread. Apologies to all.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

I’d be more confident that this is different.

By all accounts we went cold on Barkley (some itk remarked we had moved onto a different target for that summer, turned out to be the invisible man).

Berahino was on a long contract so WBA could charge exactly what they wanted.

Grealish was available and cheap right up until very rich new investors turned up & Villa didn’t need to sell below their desired price.

With Hojberg, he’s in the last year of his contract so holds the cards. Even if So’ton accept Everton’s bid, he won’t agree personal terms if he’s determined to join us. Then So’ton either accept our offer or pay him for one more year & lose him on a free.

On the whole, I agree. But I wouldn’t confidently put money on him coming because we have form for not getting willing targets over the line. It’s definitely more likely than not to happen but experience suggests tempering optimism until he signs.

I’m also firmly in the camp that this signing absolutely strengthens us, especially in the way that Mourinho is developing our play, which is probably also why I’m a bit cautious

 

[nialsy2005]

Sorry mate but that is just plain wrong. Players like Makelele, Kante, Kheidera, Busquets do not grow on trees and it is a highly specialist position. A good DCM needs tends to be able to read the game better than the other players (to be able to be in the right position), and needs to be be two footed - from both a tackling and passing perspective (even if the passes can be simple). Most importantly a good DCM has to have tactical maturity, and a world class one will control the tempo of the game to suit the teams needs. If you think a DCM just has to stand in front of the CBs and tackle people and give the ball then I can only assume that you have not watched Dier try to play there for the last 18 months.

I do not know if PEH is, or will ever be, a 'top tier' DCM, and I actually doubt he will (at least nowhere near as good as the ones I listed above). But importantly Mourinho apparently thinks he is way better than Winks or Sissoko in that position, and with money being tight in the current climate it is a good way to improve our first XI within our budget. I think the vast majority of Spurs fans agree that DCM (along with RB) is the most glaring weakness in our first XI at present (and has been for over 18 months now).

PEH has won the ball in the middle third of the pitch more than any other premier league player in the last year. That suggests to me that he is worth a punt.

If anyone can play there then why does Hjobjerb have such superior statistics to Winks (who has played largely as our DCM this season and is arguably a better footballer from a technical perspective)....

Winks:
39 tackles.
34 interceptions.
14 aerial battles won.
3 blocked shots.
15 successful 50/50's
24 Fouls
9 Yellow cards

Hjobjerg:
80 tackles.
46 interceptions.
55 aerial battles won.
10 blocked shots.
40 successful 50/50's.
46 Fouls
5 Yellow cards

Stats are from 19/20 season Premier League games only.

UPDATE:
I thought it was worth comparing offensive stats between these two players as well, mainly as I was interested to show what we would be losing from our attacking play if we replaced Winks with a more specialist DCM like Hjobjerg.

Winks:
54.23 Passes per match
76 Accurate long balls
0 Assists
13 Shots
2 Shots on target
0 Goals

Hjobjerg:
55.24 Passes per match
106 Accurate long balls
1 Assists
46 Shots
11 Shots on target
0 Goals

Hjobjerg's statistics show he can offer more in a DCM role than Winks. He makes significantly more tackles and interceptions, brings aerial ability to the team that Winks simply does not, and appears to be more effective in the offensive phases as well. From a DCM perspective, it is interesting to note that Hjobjerg has made nearly twice as many fouls but only gets half the number of yellow cards. This suggests that he is much better at being in position to tactically foul to disrupt rather than being out of position and having to blatantly foul e.g. shirt pull (which is how Winks gets the majority of his yellow cards).

Brilliant post. Thanks for this.

 

[DogsOfWar]

I’ve had time to have a look at some of his stats now and it just backs up what I see on the pitch. I really don’t think he is going to be the answer to our prayers in the defensive midfield position. If he’s cheap (I can’t remember what we offered in January but if it’s over £15 million he’s not worth it) then fair enough, but there must be other players playing in his position in Europe that are better for around that value. It’s the easiest position on the pitch pretty much. Be in position, tackle and give the ball. If there aren’t 50 other players in the top divisions of Europe, including the PL who cant do that to a high standard then I’ll be surprised.

Name me an easier position than the water carrier?

The central positions are the hardest positions in the game.
You need a 360 degree view, be able to operate in very tight areas, and be willing/able to be involved for 90 minutes.
They're the positions where control of the game are usually dictated.

The CDM has to have the intelligence to read the game, the physicality to impose himself, the engine/mobility to cover a lot of ground, and a reasonable level of technical ability to play under pressure/in tight spaces.

A good CDM also needs the ability to pass progessively otherwise if you're playing against a team of bus parkers it's like playing with 10 men.

We have 3 Prem quality players in Winks, Sissoko, and Dier. All have one or two of these traits yet none can fulfill the CDM role fully in our team as they don't have the rest.

From looking at highlights of PEH he does look like he may tick all the boxes so should add that extra dimension to our team.

 

[McFlash]

Steve Claridge was a journeyman.
Possibly in both senses of the term.
?

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

You fuckers were wrong all along. It actually means multi-purposed.

Enough dumbfuckery now, let’s turn our attention to the actual point of this thread: the pros and cons of Wiki