Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for the last few months, with the latest report by Sky Sports stating that it is only a matter of time before the 25-year-old moves to North London.
Spurs’ central midfield balance has not looked right since the departure of Mousa Dembele in January 2019, while Christian Eriksen’s sale 12 months later also robbed the club of a creative talent.
While Hojbjerg is the complete opposite of those two former Tottenham men, his acquisition may well be the answer to getting more guile into the starting XI.
Deploying the Dane as the midfield pivot in front of the Spurs back four would free up Giovani Lo Celso, who operated from the centre of the park in the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign.
Removing the Argentine’s defensive duties and playing him higher up the pitch, using his range of passing and eye for a killer ball in a more advanced role, makes perfect sense.
Lo Celso has won over the Tottenham fans as much by his work-rate and tenacity as his creativity, but the former Real Betis man was signed to be an Eriksen replacement; providing assists and goals, not winning the ball back.
Hojbjerg has the discipline and physical attributes to correct the Spurs midfield balance and protect the centre-halves.
However, despite the Dane being an excellent signing for Tottenham, his presence will have another very positive side effect in unshackling Lo Celso next term.