Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[yankspurs]

There really is no excuse not to get this done early so of course we’ll just piss about until October 5th

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Lo Celso is fantastic. Winks is good, but he's not working with Sissoko(as everyone else tbh)

He frustrates the hell out of me as he can be tenacious but his passing is predominantly sideways or backwards. Look at Modric (yes I know he’s world class) but despite being a similar build to Winks you can’t get the ball off him, he’s got very quick feet, constantly looking to play progressive football. Having someone in that mould is better than the deadly (not in a good way) and negative combo of Winks and Sissoko. May be if Winks has a better play alongside him we may see glimpses of his form like when we played Madrid but for now he’s going backwards.

He (Winks) suits a possesion based team, but he could be useful if we want to sacrifice a DM to move the ball quicker in certain situations.

 

[Buster18]

I love Winks however he can’t play in a 2 with Sissoko. I’m not sure anyone can play in a 2 with Sissoko as he’s rarely in a central midfield position. He seems to play some sort of cross between right back and DM

 

[DiVaio]

Look at Modric (yes I know he’s world class) but despite being a similar build to Winks you can’t get the ball off him, he’s got very quick feet, constantly looking to play progressive football.

Winks this season is averaging 6.08 progressive pass per 90. Modrić this season is averaging 6.40 per 90. Winks this season is dispossessed 0.63 per 90 when Modrić is dispossessed 1.35 per 90. Progressive distance of passes is higher for Winks too.

 

[PrettyColors]

Winks playing an advanced role would be like playing a CB at fullback by the way, think I would pull my hair out at all the negative passing he does. I think investing in a proper creative passer (Lo Celso is not that although he’s good at it) would really help the side as the expense of passing we do is not at all creative.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

He's clearly carrying a knock and is doing the defensive stuff more than getting on the ball and looking to dictate.

That's all because he has Sissoko and Winks behind him and a real lack of balance.

Hoejbjerg - a proper DM to give the stability - and Ndombele - a player who can make better passing lanes, movement and forward play.

Give him a rest and a proper functioning midfield behind him before judging

Winks this season is averaging 6.08 progressive pass per 90. Modrić this season is averaging 6.40 per 90. Winks this season is dispossessed 0.63 per 90 when Modrić is dispossessed 1.35 per 90. Progressive distance of passes is higher for Winks too.

Modric is now 34/35. When he was at Spurs and in his prime for Real the gulf in class between Winks and Modric is the equivalent of Andy Booth v Kane.

 

[yankspurs]

Winks playing further forward will be ace - cannot wait.
weened that deeper lying player so badly

Winks is shit going forward now we want him in a more attacking role?

 

[Marty]

Winks is shit going forward now we want him in a more attacking role?

We've never tried to play him more advanced. Southgate tried it for England last autumn and Winks scored and was MOTM in a 4-0 win.

 

[Joshua]

As I said, he'll get more time.

Hopefully he can prove me wrong.

He doesn’t need to prove you wrong because you already are.

 

[ItsBoris]

We need 3 hard working central midfielders - Hojbjerg, Lo Celso + 1. Squad wise as you say we would need 2 new central midfielders as Winks and Sissoko aren’t good enough.

Son, Kane, Bergwijn are all fantastic players and Moura works his arse off. However, it doesn’t matter how good these players are if you have a dull, weak and error prone central midfield as they will be both starved of possession and creativity.

I think that +1 needs to be a creative player though. Willian would be ok as a CAM if we play 4-2-3-1. Thiago would be ideal to play deeper but sounds like he's going to Liverpool. Maybe Donny Van de Beek or Jack Grealish? Just haven't heard us linked to any players who would complete a strong midfield 3 along with Lo Celso and Holjberg.

 

[dtxspurs]

Winks this season is averaging 6.08 progressive pass per 90. Modrić this season is averaging 6.40 per 90. Winks this season is dispossessed 0.63 per 90 when Modrić is dispossessed 1.35 per 90. Progressive distance of passes is higher for Winks too.

You can empty out every statistic possible, it only takes your eyes to see that Winks offers little offensively. If he's such progressive passer how is it that he has zero assists from open play since becoming a member of the squad 4 years ago?

 

[spursfan77]

Going to need more than just him in central midfield. See if we can swap sissoko for him too.

 

[Phil-spur99]

We've never tried to play him more advanced. Southgate tried it for England last autumn and Winks scored and was MOTM in a 4-0 win.

In many ways Winks’ game is ideally suited to international football. More so than the PL.

 

[DiVaio]

You can empty out every statistic possible, it only takes your eyes to see that Winks offers little offensively. If he's such progressive passer how is it that he has zero assists from open play since becoming a member of the squad 4 years ago?

Just checked and assist to Aurier against Brighton was from open-play. This goal also shows how useless the stats of assists is.
Also, don't know what progressive passes have to do with assists. Or even just progressive passes and fact of dispossessed stats to offering little ofensively

 

[Marty]

In many ways Winks’ game is ideally suited to international football. More so than the PL.

I don't disagree with that at all, but the notion that he "can't" play a more advanced role when he's never given the opportunity to try is what I find daft.

 

[dtxspurs]

Just checked and assist to Aurier against Brighton was from open-play. This goal also shows how useless the stats of assists is.
Also, don't know what progressive passes have to do with assists. Or even just progressive passes and fact of dispossessed stats to offering little ofensively

Hard to count a deflected cross from 40 yards out that goes in goal as an assist. You're arguing that he does a good job passing the ball forward. He doesn't, if he did he would at least chip in with 1 assist per season. He can't do that.

 

[DiVaio]

Hard to count a deflected cross from 40 yards out that goes in goal as an assist. You're arguing that he does a good job passing the ball forward. He doesn't, if he did he would at least chip in with 1 assist per season. He can't do that.

That's still an assist from open-play. You know that assist means nothing but still using it, okay. If he would pass the ball to Son when he dribbled every Burnley player then he's good offensively? He can't do that, sure. Same as he can't break the lines as you said couple of days ago despite the fact only Ndombele is making that more often?

 

[double0]

I believe Winks will justify his position and prove a lot of people wrong. He showed a level of controlled football in the CL a couple of seasons back when he dominated RM and Barcelona. If we can sort out our full backs and pair him up correctly he has the ability to dictate games.

 

[Tucker]

I believe Winks will justify his position and prove a lot of people wrong. He showed a level of controlled football in the CL a couple of seasons back when he dominated RM and Barcelona. If we can sort out our full backs and pair him up correctly he has the ability to dictate games.

He’s another of our players that gets far too much unfair criticism from posters on here.

 

[gavspur]

Hojbjerg and Kondogbia in, Sissoko, Lamela, Foyth out. Instantly makes us stronger.