During the latest episode of the Extra Inch podcast, Chris Miller, Nathan Clark and Bardi have been discussing the latest goings-on at Tottenham Hotspur, with a focus on the 2-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
One topic of discussion in the recent episode, which was titled ‘Bridging‘, was the form of Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Danish international joined the Lilywhites from Southampton during the summer transfer window and has impressed in his performances thus far, having averaged a solid 6.95/10 rating in the Premier League, ranking him as the north London club’s fifth-best performer in the top flight so far this season (per WhoScored).
Bardi was full of praise for the former Bayern Munich man during the podcast, but also raised one possible concern about the midfielder, saying:
“Hojbjerg, he’s been our best player by just being almost like normal, just playing par, he’s got through it and done okay. He’s done what he’s been hired to do.
“Our track record of defensive midfielders hasn’t been great, so now all of a sudden we’ve got Hojbjerg there who’s very smart, very talented, [a] very skilful player, we’re looking at him going ‘he’s like the new Deschamps’ or something.
“I like him, it’s great. I’m just concerned with someone so combative and someone who does get around the pitch whether or not he’s going to go injury-free this season, because when he went down for the extended period, my stomach went kind of like when it does when [Harry] Kane goes down.”
TIF Thoughts on Bardi’s praise for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg…
Hojbjerg has certainly established himself as a mainstay in Jose Mourinho’s side so far this season, having made 12 appearances in all competitions under the Portuguese manager, so it seems clear that he feels that the 25-year-old is an integral part of his squad.
Do you worry that Hojbjerg might pick up an injury?
Yes
No
As Bardi suggests, there may be a concern that with the Danish midfielder’s combative style of play – with WhoScored suggesting that he likes to tackle and commit fouls – perhaps increasing his chance of injury, he may not be able to stay fully fit throughout the season, so it would be interesting to see how the Lilywhites cope without his presence in midfield if he picks up an injury at any point during the campaign.