Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Whazam]

Never seen a player get so much unjustified criticism as this guy. The constant repetition of "he only passes backwards or sideways" and "he always hides," there's no evidence for it?

Since he got here, he's been one of the most involved midfielders in the league (minutes played, passes made, etc.). That's not hiding. And those passes have been among the most progressive and accurate in the league among midfielders. That's not only passing backwards or sideways and putting teammates under pressure.

He's not the best under pressure. He can be upgraded on. It makes sense to sell him now for good value, if possible. But the constant need to, more or less, make things up about him, which has happened again and again during the last year is really, really odd.

Also, the pointing. Get over it. It doesn't make him a worse player that he uses his hands when he is trying to organize the team.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

 

[Real_madyidd]

Against an aggressive press he is poor in retaining possession and will tend to hide.

Only about three teams play an aggressive press.

Edit: turns out it is 6 teams, two of which have been relegated.

 

[Roberts84]

Against an aggressive press he is poor in retaining possession and will tend to hide.

I thought his performance against city at home was brilliant, he pressed, won possession and carried it forward to relieve pressure. Not sure you can get a better pressing team to demonstrate your ability against.

 

[Albertbarich]

He's a good player that has been really overplayed in some horribly defensive systems, often giving the midfield no chance of being on top.

Don't forget he has played under Pep and also at Southampton in a high pressing team so I wouldn't say he couldn't cope in an Ange team.

But at 28 with 2 years left and a rebuild left we could get good money without needing a direct replacement and reinvest

 

[EastUpperDK82]

He's a good player that has been really overplayed in some horribly defensive systems, often giving the midfield no chance of being on top.

Don't forget he has played under Pep and also at Southampton in a high pressing team so I wouldn't say he couldn't cope in an Ange team.

But at 28 with 2 years left and a rebuild left we could get good money without needing a direct replacement and reinvest

Agree... at the end of the day Ange should make the decision. Not the club... like all of our business should be done. If Ange can use him, then keep him and see what happens next season. There are many other players who should be sold first... the ones who have been here for many years and don't deliver anymore... and the players who have been out on loan/don't want to be here... plus players who don't fit Ange's requirements.

 

[chas vs dave]

Agree... at the end of the day Ange should make the decision. Not the club... like all of our business should be done. If Ange can use him, then keep him and see what happens next season. There are many other players who should be sold first... the ones who have been here for many years and don't deliver anymore... and the players who have been out on loan/don't want to be here... plus players who don't fit Ange's requirements.

That's the crux of it. PEH, and players like GLC haven't played for us under a progressive front foot manager. We should let ange decide, and give whoever he wants to use a clean slate.

He was excellent in the euros, where he played a more progressive role, imo.

 

[mil1lion]

I like him a lot and think he could do well in a high press. However he doesn't have the qualities to play quick 1 touch football under an opposition press. If we could sell him and get someone like Hatate for similar money he would be a better fit for Ange without leaving ourselves short on funds.

 

[crokey]

I can't remember a player so underrated by our own fans. Maybe Kyle Walker was the last one.

Got to keep him.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

He looks a lot better for Denmark as a n.o 8 in a 3, for me though he’s not good enough with the ball under pressure so won’t suit Ange's style of football particularly well.

 

[yido_number1]

I can't remember a player so underrated by our own fans. Maybe Kyle Walker was the last one.

Got to keep him.

Watch the villa game back and say that again, awful take.

 

[rabbikeane]

His performances drop when he's overplayed, and Conte was terrible for our midfielders with a tactic and philosophy leaving them exposed. Not saying he isn't replaceable, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him as first choice in one of the 8s neither. Not the best on the ball, but his forward runs are dangerous, reckon he'd find the space between ST and RW.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I can't remember a player so underrated by our own fans. Maybe Kyle Walker was the last one.

Got to keep him.

I rate him.

I think we should sell him.

These are not contradictory statements.

If you only sold players who were awful, you would never find any buyers. I would prefer a more technical player in the CM mix, and I want to see Sarr take a step up next season.

So - Bentancur, Sarr, Bissouma, NEW Technical Player, Skipp, Devine would a great mix.

 

[McFlash]

If we get rid of Hojbjerg, Dave and Dier, does that leave Skipp as they last remaining scapegoat for fans to irrationally hate?!

 

[rabbikeane]

If we get rid of Hojbjerg, Dave and Dier, does that leave Skipp as they last remaining scapegoat for fans to irrationally hate?!

We'll always find someone new.

 

[Roberts84]

If we get rid of Hojbjerg, Dave and Dier, does that leave Skipp as they last remaining scapegoat for fans to irrationally hate?!

Winks is still at the club

 

[Khilari]

Højbjerg being scapegoated for performing a role where he is asked to stay back, defend and work within a failing defensive system. Of course he is “limited”… every player is depending on what you ask them to do. Bissouma, Bentancur, Ndombele… all these players are limited and won’t perform well in a role and system their traits don’t suit.

The question is whether Højbjerg can fit into a Postecoglu system. I don’t know enough about his system to know but many pundits say he would struggle. If so, Spurs may look to cash in. But the other attributes he has shouldn’t be overlooked; his “mental” attributes (FM style ratings) of leadership, determination, effort and drive are aspects that can be a real bonus to a team.

Love PEH for what he has tried to do. Some of his assists for Kane were amazing. Hope we can get the best out of him under Ange, if not wish him all the best.

 

[bbunc]

A number of our goals this season came from the few times we actually pressed and PEH was almost always the one winning the ball off the opponent in those situations and then dishing up to Kane.

actually think he could be decent with the shackles off and pressing on the front foot, 1 game per week, and where he’s not asked to play 2 against 4 in a midfield.

but he is probably the most salable CM we have. If you have to sell him to get a Maddison or an Eze maybe that’s the trade off you have make

 

[Jospur]

Hojbjerg. One of my favourite players for Spurs. A leader. The Ironman. The Energizer - keeps going and going and going. Seldom injured. Never gives up. So versatile. Captain material.

Hope he stays at Tottenham Hotspur for many years.

 

[cjbyid]

Definitely would have the likes of bentacur and bissouma ahead of him. Much better players.

If we receive a good offer it would be hard not to take it for him.