Journalist Dan Sheldon has revealed how Southampton are planning to replace Tottenham Hotspur target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Sheldon was recently a guest on the latest episode of the Total Saints podcast. The panel talked about the 2019/20 season for the Saints, but Sheldon tipped Will Smallbone to replace Hojbjerg and provided some detail about what the club’s thinking process behind this could be.
Hojbjerg has been linked with a move to Spurs, with the latest reports claiming that Tottenham are set to ‘renew discussions’ with Southampton for the Danish midfielder. The Saints reportedly value Hojbjerg at £25 million.
While tipping Smallbone as his member of the Saints squad to keep an eye on next season, Sheldon said: “My Saint to look out for in 2021 is Will Smallbone. The midfielder made his debut in January and then has gone on to become a regular in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s matchday squad. And I think with the uncertainty surrounding Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s future, who it doesn’t look like will be at the club beyond the summer, Smallbone really is the player to stand in and take Pierre’s boots.
Can Smallbone replace Hojbjerg?
Absolutely!
I don't think so
“And from speaking to people at the club, they really, really do rate Will Smallbone. He really is one that they’ve sort of earmarked and they think he will go on to great things. And I know privately, Ralph, although he’s a big fan of Pierre, I don’t think he’d be too concerned about Pierre leaving because Will Smallbone is coming in.”
Sheldon seems to really rate Smallbone and feels that he could step into Hojbjerg’s shoes whenever the Dane departs. He also believes that Hojbjerg is likely to leave this summer, but the Saints should not be ‘too concerned’ about that.
TIF Thoughts…
20-year-old Smallbone has played a few games for the Saints first-team this season, making nine appearances for the club and picking up a Whoscored rating of 6.36 in the campaign. He has already racked up a couple of assists for the side (via Whoscored).
Hojbjerg was the club’s fifth-best performer in the season and was the second-best tackler at the club, winning 2.4 tackles per game and was only behind Cedric Soares. He was also the joint-third best interceptor, with this stat standing at an impressive 1.4 (via Whoscored).
This shows that replacing Hojbjerg won’t be easy. Even though the club does ‘rate’ Smallbone- as Sheldon says, the youngster might take time to reach Hojbjerg’s level. So patience might be needed in this regard.