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Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
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27,841
If that happened later in the game, I'm pretty sure the ref would've gone to the monitor.

Example of our players not being clever ***** as Jose says. If they'd immediately surrounded the to ref demand a red then I am sure VAR would have reviewed it. Their player jumped into the tackle, both feet left the ground, and it endangered an opponent whilst getting nowhere near the ball. Easily could have been red.
 

Scissors&Tape

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2018
259
1,007
If that happened later in the game, I'm pretty sure the ref would've gone to the monitor.

And if he made a bigger deal out of it -- rolled on the ground a few times, had the medics come on the field -- you'd have to think the ref would have checked with VAR.
 

coy-spurs1882

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
3,989
10,442
Example of our players not being clever ***** as Jose says. If they'd immediately surrounded the to ref demand a red then I am sure VAR would have reviewed it. Their player jumped into the tackle, both feet left the ground, and it endangered an opponent whilst getting nowhere near the ball. Easily could have been red.
def a red if it was our player who made that tackle lol
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Just another mediocre player that we will be looking to offload in two years. (n)

Nah you need to give him time, I think he's good at reading the play and winning the ball back - it looks to me like him and Winks effectively are playing in the same position and want to do the same job, when Lo Celso came on against Southampton for example he immediately looked more comfortable.
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
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Nah you need to give him time, I think he's good at reading the play and winning the ball back - it looks to me like him and Winks effectively are playing in the same position and want to do the same job, when Lo Celso came on against Southampton for example he immediately looked more comfortable.
That’s been one of the more encouraging things, that we’ve looked very cohesive and methodical when he’s had Lo Celso with him. As we know, midfields are about partnerships. If we can get Ndombele worked into that too and clicking with them, we’ve suddenly got a very good midfielder. All of Winks, Sissoko and Gedson will of course be needed regularly given the schedule this season, Dele too for those games that we sacrifice midfield for an an extra attacking player.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
That’s been one of the more encouraging things, that we’ve looked very cohesive and methodical when he’s had Lo Celso with him. As we know, midfields are about partnerships. If we can get Ndombele worked into that too and clicking with them, we’ve suddenly got a very good midfielder. All of Winks, Sissoko and Gedson will of course be needed regularly given the schedule this season, Dele too for those games that we sacrifice midfield for an an extra attacking player.

Winks looks a lot better with Lo Celso as well funnily enough. I think with Lo Celso he just puts so much work in and the player next to him can concentrate on their natural game.
 

Blueluigi6

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
197
1,002
Still think there needs to be another DM signing because if he doesn't get up from that tackle it's back to winks and sissoko...
 

glospur

Well-Known Member
May 19, 2015
2,608
9,806
Based on what?

I'm sure Højbjerg will get better, but as stated before he became extremely hyped on here before he joined.

I like him as a squad player and I think he will serve a purpose. But he is not a special player and will never be. Good opportunistic buy given the circumstances.

I am not convinced that he will be in our starting line-up come spring and we are playing a "big" game. I would say that is pretty 50/50 at the moment between him and Winks. I'm pretty sure Winks would also do better alongside Lo Celso and Ndombele than Sissoko.
I think a lot of people here are kidding themselves if they think we're going to be seeing Gio and Ndombele lining up in the same midfield in league games, let alone big games in the league. I think people are hoping for that Gio-TN combo based on how they want to see the team play, not how Jose is setting up the team.

As for Hojbjerg, he doesn't need to be a special player. He's like Winks, they're there to be functional and allow the players ahead of them to work their magic. Football is played not just with the ball at your feet. In fact, 99% of the game is played without the ball at your feet, and it's just important that a player is good during those times than for the 1% of the game they're on the ball.
 

Montalbano

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2018
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18,686
I think a lot of people here are kidding themselves if they think we're going to be seeing Gio and Ndombele lining up in the same midfield in league games, let alone big games in the league. I think people are hoping for that Gio-TN combo based on how they want to see the team play, not how Jose is setting up the team.

As for Hojbjerg, he doesn't need to be a special player. He's like Winks, they're there to be functional and allow the players ahead of them to work their magic. Football is played not just with the ball at your feet. In fact, 99% of the game is played without the ball at your feet, and it's just important that a player is good during those times than for the 1% of the game they're on the ball.
I disagree, Lo Celso's ability as a box-to-box player is very underrated. I do certainly think that in games against opposition who defend with a low block and keep eleven men behind the ball we will see Gio, Hojbjerg, and Ndombele or Dele in the same midfield.
 

Sophos151

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2016
792
2,559
I think a lot of people here are kidding themselves if they think we're going to be seeing Gio and Ndombele lining up in the same midfield in league games, let alone big games in the league. I think people are hoping for that Gio-TN combo based on how they want to see the team play, not how Jose is setting up the team.

As for Hojbjerg, he doesn't need to be a special player. He's like Winks, they're there to be functional and allow the players ahead of them to work their magic. Football is played not just with the ball at your feet. In fact, 99% of the game is played without the ball at your feet, and it's just important that a player is good during those times than for the 1% of the game they're on the ball.

When we've got the ball, Lo Celso and Ndombele are ideal fits for the way Jose wants us to play. Jose wants us to attack quickly, playing incisive passes into the forward line and then letting them do their thing to create goals - and Lo Celso and Ndombele are both very, very good at incisive passes through the middle. Look at our last twelve league goals.
  • Southampton 5: Lo Celso, to Lamela, shot parried to Kane
  • Southampton 4: Lo Celso, to Kane, to Son
  • Southampton 3: Sanchez, to Kane, to Son
  • Southampton 2: Lo Celso, to Kane, to Son
  • Southampton 1: Ball won by Ndombele, to Kane, to Son
  • Palace 1: Loose ball picked up by Lo Celso, to Kane
  • Leicester 3: Ball won by Lucas, to Kane
  • Leicester 2: Loose ball picked up by Lo Celso, to Lucas, to Kane
  • Leicester 1: Clearance, to Kane, to Son
  • Newcastle 3 Interception by Lamela, to Kane, to Lamela, shot parried to Kane
  • Newcastle 2: Winks, to Bergwijn, to Kane
  • Newcastle 1: Ball won by Lucas, to Kane, to Lo Celso, to Son
From those twelve goals, six times we see the midfielder -> forward -> second forward combination. We also see Lo Celso involved higher up twice. In total, Lo Celso is involved in half of our goals. Winks, Sissoko, and Hojbjerg just don't provide the incisive, direct passes that make Mourinho's system work going forward.

Of course, defensively Mourinho may have doubts about Lo Celso and Ndombele. But I think those doubts are overblown.

If we look at the tackle and interception output of Lo Celso ( 2.1), Ndombele (1.8), and Hojbjerg (3.8) last season, that adds up to 7.7 tackles and interceptions per 90. Last season's Winks ( 2.5 ) Sissoko ( 2.1 ) Dele ( 2.3 ) trio managed a total of 6.9. Of course, there's more to defending that just tackles and interceptions, but does anyone honestly think that Winks and Sissoko are significantly better at positioning themselves and tracking runners, than Hojbjerg and Ndombele?

If Mourinho wants a team who win the ball and then transition with speed into attack - which he clearly does - Ndombele and Lo Celso are perfect for him.
 

13VanDerBale13

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2011
14,269
33,647
Evening standard saying he was left out on Thursday due to injury, doubt he makes the game on Sunday, can’t say I’m surprised we haven’t heard any updates from the club.
 

ultimateloner

Well-Known Member
Jan 25, 2004
4,539
2,149
He is an average PL DM. Not a game-changer but not a time-bomb either. I think his appeal was the price and his age. If we are lucky he might become Henderson in a few years.
 

Mark_147

Well-Known Member
Aug 24, 2011
1,807
3,019
Evening standard saying he was left out on Thursday due to injury, doubt he makes the game on Sunday, can’t say I’m surprised we haven’t heard any updates from the club.
Anywhere else on earth reporting this apart from the evening standard.
 

Bulletspur

The Reasonable Advocate
Match Thread Admin
Oct 17, 2006
10,690
25,246
He is an average PL DM. Not a game-changer but not a time-bomb either. I think his appeal was the price and his age. If we are lucky he might become Henderson in a few years.
This. He has yet to impress me. In my opinion he is not an upgrade on who we already had
 
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