Tottenham Hotspur managed to see off rivals Arsenal in the North London derby today (BBC Match Report) and climb to the summit of the Premier League.

Spurs are starting to look like a very efficient team under manager Jose Mourinho and one that could seriously challenge for silverware this season.

They have fantastic forwards in Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Gareth Bale. A world class goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris. Plus new recruit Sergio Reguilon has been in great form as the club’s new left back.

But a big part of what’s made Spurs successful so far this season has been the disciplined work ethic they get from the three man midfield.

For me, summer signing Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has been the player that has really made this a hard to beat Mourinho team and he’s a player that gives the defence some help when required and gives Tottenham a solid foundation which has allowed Kane and Son the freedom to shine in the opposition’s half.

The Danish international was anything but assured in his first top flight performance for his new side in his league debut against Everton. He looked out of his depth after his reported £15m move from Southampton (Source Goal.com).

Yet ever since that maiden outing, the twenty-five year old has looked comfortable as he has become the team’s midfield enforcer.

Jose always wants a midfield foot-solider that will break up play and that will also keep the ball moving. You’ve got to believe that Pierre-Emile is Mourinho’s lieutenant at Spurs.

He has struck up a very nice partnership in the engine-room with Moussa Sissoko. They don’t mind sitting deep, going out and doubling up on the flanks and getting stuck in with well timed challenges.

The Tottenham Hotspur boss likes bringing in players that have a big club mentality, who are leaders and who have performed well in the Premier League before.

Højbjerg ticks all those boxes.

He started his career at Bayern Munich before making his name at Southampton. At Bayern he’d have been brought up with a winning mentality and the knowledge of what was needed to play for a major European club. The Dane then moved to The Saints and was always a consistent performer for them in England’s top flight. Southampton gaffer Ralph Hasenhüttl was clearly impressed with Højbjerg and made him his club’s captain before Mourinho came calling.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg seems determined to make the most of his move to Spurs and delighted to carry out whatever task Jose Mourinho asks of him.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville made the great Dane his man of the match after another solid display against the Gunners today. He once again worked his socks off as he protected his defence, stepped up in possession and covered every inch of turf at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

No Spurs player had more touches of the ball than the midfielder’s 61 touches. He also completed the most amount of dribbles and he completed more interceptions than any other player on the park.

According to stats website Whoscored.com Pierre-Emile on average makes around three tackles per game. He’s also in the top ten in the whole league for the average amount of passes (72.4) he makes and he has a fantastic passing success rate of 88.8%.

Those are stats that prove that this player is reliable and consistent. That will thrill Jose Mourinho!

Anyone who watched the Spurs – Amazon documentary will know that Jose believed that Tottenham last term were too nice and they needed a nasty streak. Højbjerg can also give that edge to the Spurs midfield.

Former Spurs forward Dimitar Berbatov certainly seems to believe that too:

“I think one of the major things in the Spurs team, from what I have seen so far, are the people in the middle of the park. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a f*cking bully, a rock in front of the defence,”

“He knows what he can and can’t do and he’s playing to his strengths. He doesn’t really get much praise but he’s there and he’s doing all the work.”

Via Goal.com

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gets a lot of the unfashionable business done. It might not always get the plaudits but he gives his team a much needed balance and a strong spine sitting in front of his defensive backline.

Spurs this term have beaten Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal. A big reason for that has been their disciplined, hard working midfield.

With Højbjerg, Jose Mourinho has found himself a bargain!

Posted on December 6th, 2020 by scott
Filed under: Article