Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Havre]

We're not signing him to be Pirlo, we're signing him to shield the defence. Literally the type of midfielder we've been crying out for since Wanyama's legs turned to papier-mâché. The "concerns" about his passing are coming from bitter Saints fans and passed on to Spurs fans who, for some reason, always need to have something negative to say.

The last part is clearly not true. I watched him quite a lot in the PL and as a Norwegian I tend to follow Nordic players more closely than I would otherwise do.

I'm not suggesting we are signing him as Pirlo of course. Got nothing to do with my evaluation of this transfer. To me this is not such a "slam dunk" it seems like many are making it out to be - that is it. I'm not even suggesting he won't be successful at Spurs. I think there is a very fair chance he will, but also a fair chance that he won't necessarily be a key player for us.

The same way Sissoko is criticized for not being able to pass (which he clearly isn't) you need to have a certain basic level for the rest to work. I am not convinced Højbjerg is able to reach that level. I hope so, but certainly not a given for me.

 

[Kingellesar]

Having him in the squad gives us more options with regards to what we can do in midfield as well. For a relatively low fee too, it is looking like a clever signing that can improve the squad straight away.

 

[DiVaio]

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Shove it up your arse Sheldon!

 

[the yid]

I think this signing is the smartest signing since Scott Parker. Done the ugly stuff so the technical players could flourish

 

[mil1lion]

He doesn't need to be the best passer. Wanyama certainly wasn't but was fantastic alongside Dembele. Besides whether people like it or not we're a counter attacking team now. Most opponents are coming out to play us now. A lot more teams against Poch would sit back and counter us so it's funny how it's switched around. Højbjerg will turn over possession and have players close by to pick out and break forward. He could be the key to truly unlocking Lo Celso.

I'm rather looking forward to having a player who might actually be there when the opposition get past the fullbacks and pass it back to the oncoming attacker. It can't be underestimated how much we've missed having a defensive mindset in midfield. From a positional perspective he is exactly what we need. Not to mention his leadership qualities which we also lack in midfield.

 

[Japhet]

The last part is clearly not true. I watched him quite a lot in the PL and as a Norwegian I tend to follow Nordic players more closely than I would otherwise do.

I'm not suggesting we are signing him as Pirlo of course. Got nothing to do with my evaluation of this transfer. To me this is not such a "slam dunk" it seems like many are making it out to be - that is it. I'm not even suggesting he won't be successful at Spurs. I think there is a very fair chance he will, but also a fair chance that he won't necessarily be a key player for us.

The same way Sissoko is criticized for not being able to pass (which he clearly isn't) you need to have a certain basic level for the rest to work. I am not convinced Højbjerg is able to reach that level. I hope so, but certainly not a given for me.

I think he'll be expected to keep it very simple for us and primarily try to get Lo Celso and Ndombele on the ball. Otherwise he'll be organizing the higher defence and hopefully tearing Ndombele a new one if he's slacking. He'll also be tasked with winning second balls which is something we've been atrocious at for a long time.

 

[DannyNZ]

He doesn't need to be the best passer. Wanyama certainly wasn't but was fantastic alongside Dembele. Besides whether people like it or not we're a counter attacking team now. Most opponents are coming out to play us now. A lot more teams against Poch would sit back and counter us so it's funny how it's switched around. Højbjerg will turn over possession and have players close by to pick out and break forward. He could be the key to truly unlocking Lo Celso.

I'm rather looking forward to having a player who might actually be there when the opposition get past the fullbacks and pass it back to the oncoming attacker. It can't be underestimated how much we've missed having a defensive mindset in midfield. From a positional perspective he is exactly what we need. Not to mention his leadership qualities which we also lack in midfield.

Think your point about leadership is important here. Too often we look a bit leaderless and if this guy can come in and give us a bit of backbone and leadership then wtf if he misplaces the odd pass.

 

[spursfan77]

Suddenly I'm a lot more keen for us to sign him. Hope he thrives!

Arsenal hierarchy ignored departing scout's recommendation to sign Spurs target

Raul Sanllehi and Edu are taking Arsenal's recruitment in a different direction.

metro.co.uk

 

[spids]

Højbjerb will help solidify our spine. I also think it is why JM likes Dier at CB so much - he has leadership qualities and aggression. Toby and Jan were brilliant partners at CB, but I always felt they were too passive as a pair. As are Sissoko and Winks in CM. A spine of "Lloris > Dier > Højbjerg / Lo Celso > Kane" looks a more solid than we have had for the last couple of years.

 

[emiley heskey]

Højbjerb will help solidify our spine. I also think it is why JM likes Dier at CB so much - he has leadership qualities and aggression. Toby and Jan were brilliant partners at CB, but I always felt they were too passive as a pair. As are Sissoko and Winks in CM. A spine of "Lloris > Dier > Højbjerg / Lo Celso > Kane" looks a more solid than we have had for the last couple of years.

If we can get ward prowse next season whose contract will be expired in 2022, that would be icing on the cake as well ...

 

[Hakkz]

If we can get ward prowse next season whose contract will be expired in 2022, that would be icing on the cake as well ...

No.

 

[teok]

Højbjerb will help solidify our spine. I also think it is why JM likes Dier at CB so much - he has leadership qualities and aggression. Toby and Jan were brilliant partners at CB, but I always felt they were too passive as a pair. As are Sissoko and Winks in CM. A spine of "Lloris > Dier > Højbjerg / Lo Celso > Kane" looks a more solid than we have had for the last couple of years.

Dier may be aggressive but he certainly hasn't proven to be solid as a centre back yet. Let's hope so though.

 

[spids]

If we can get ward prowse next season whose contract will be expired in 2022, that would be icing on the cake as well ...

Not sure how Ward-Prowse improves the spine of our team ...

 

[SpartanSpur]

RIP Winkssoko - you did your best but this pairing will not be missed.

 

[Hakkz]

RIP Winkssoko - you did your best but this pairing will not be missed.

More like wanksock, amirite!?

 

[yankspurs]

RIP Winkssoko - you did your best but this pairing will not be missed.

We’ll continue to see that pairing alot until one is sold.

 

[Havre]

I think he'll be expected to keep it very simple for us and primarily try to get Lo Celso and Ndombele on the ball. Otherwise he'll be organizing the higher defence and hopefully tearing Ndombele a new one if he's slacking. He'll also be tasked with winning second balls which is something we've been atrocious at for a long time.

I agree, but in terms of passing he will not do any better than for example Winks getting to Lo Celso and N'Dombele.

Obviously he is a much better ball winner than Winks so not suggesting he wouldn't in sum fill that role better, but my guess is that there will be a lot of frustration thrown Højbjerg's way come December when the novelty has worn off. Obviously I hope I'm wrong. Højbjerg seems fairly intelligent on the ball in general he just tends to randomly do silly things you didn't see coming.

 

[mark87]

We’ll continue to see that pairing alot until one is sold.

Maybe in lesser games.

 

[Who’s our next manager?]

We're not signing him to be Pirlo, we're signing him to shield the defence. Literally the type of midfielder we've been crying out for since Wanyama's legs turned to papier-mâché. The "concerns" about his passing are coming from bitter Saints fans and passed on to Spurs fans who, for some reason, always need to have something negative to say.

Papier-mâché- Sorry no more French players for me thanks.