Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[Trix]

Winks ?

Ndom

 

[wrd]

I’m not a fan of winks but he can be a decent squad player surely if he is going that means another is coming in

I'd be shocked if he gave up on his boyhood club this easily.

 

[sidford]

Ndom

Wow that's a lot different than the journos around the club are saying.
Shame but I can see why José would want rid especially with small budget and having to sell to raise funds. If he's not going to play him then sell him

 

[PrettyColors]

Ndom

And cue the meltdown..

 

[SUIYHA]

I don't remember Makelele doing much else other than breaking up play, making tackles/interceptions and playing it simple to retain possession. I'm not saying PEH is as good as CM was, but ss far as out and out DM's are concerned it's about keeping it simple and doing a job. It lets the more technical and creative players around them do theres more effectively. I'd argue at Southampton he doesn't have the quality around him to do all the creative stuff and it forces him to do stuff out of his comfort zone at times.

JM has singled him out and let's face it he certainly knows a DM when he see's one.

I know what you're trying to say - but Makelele was doing that alongside midfielders like Zidane, Figo and Lampard, whereas even if Lo Celso, Ndombele and Winks improve then I don't see any of them reaching that level any time soon. More importantly, Makelele's peak was 15-20 years ago - the best DMs of today, think Fabinho, Busquets, Casemeiro, Kimmich, Kante etc, can all play ball and help to drive their team forward when needs be. I can't think of any "Makelele-role" type players around at top clubs today.

 

[EQP]

Said I heard that PEH deal was essentially done yesterday with KWP going other way, and just heard it is done. It’s as good a deal as reported. Levy played a blinder. Personally hoping Winks doesn’t leave in face of it as he’s great squad player but he wants first team football and for whatever reason (maybe discussion with Jose behind closed doors) he is convinced he won’t get it

Cheers for the info! Hopefully Winks soon realizes that us signing PEH means less defensive responsibility for himself. Additionally, it will mean more freedom for Harry to dictate play, spread passes around and drive up the field knowing that he'll have PEH as the defensive anchor.

 

[mil1lion]

I’m not a fan of winks but he can be a decent squad player surely if he is going that means another is coming in

Not necessarily as we have plenty of CMs but if he did leave I'd not loan Skipp or sell Ndombele

 

[Snarfalicious]

And cue the meltdown..

We are calm. We are pragmatic.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

What part don't you like. Also agree with you on Tanganga most likely being back up rb.

That there’s talks with Inter at all.

Don’t get me wrong, I fully understand why we’d sell, if we do, but I’d also love him to stay and be the hero we need.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Ndom

Sad but understandable if so.

 

[wrd]

That there’s talks with Inter at all.

Don’t get me wrong, I fully understand why we’d sell, if we do, but I’d also love him to stay and be the hero we need.

Yeah I agree, just wasn't sure if you were unhappy that the talks weren't close.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Yeah I agree, just wasn't sure if you were unhappy that the talks weren't close.

Oh god no, I’ll be gutted when he goes. I’ll understand it but I’ll still wish he’d been what we thought we bought.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Said I heard that PEH deal was essentially done yesterday with KWP going other way, and just heard it is done. It’s as good a deal as reported. Levy played a blinder. Personally hoping Winks doesn’t leave in face of it as he’s great squad player but he wants first team football and for whatever reason (maybe discussion with Jose behind closed doors) he is convinced he won’t get it

I imagine that the thinking for will be that both Lo Celso and Winks will be able to play with Hojbjerg but also with eachother v certain opposition, and that on occasion it might even be all three.

I’ve said already, but I essentially see it as us going with:

1
2 4 5 3
6 8
10
7 ___ 11
9
​

And that those three bold positions will be contested by Winks, Lo Celso, Hojbjerg, Dele, Sissoko and Lamela, adjusted for different types of opposition.

 

[Yiddo100]

Ndom

Let’s hope levy gets the best deal then

 

[Johno1470]

I personally don’t care what Saints fans have to say on him. You can read through player threads and you will see so many conflicting opinions on all of our midfielders. PEH has been playing for the poorest Southampton side I have seen in years. Without Ings god knows where they would be.

PEH has been playing alongside some very average players and trying to feed it forward to the likes of Long and Adams who have scored single digit goals between them the last 12 months, an average and inconsistent Redmond and the likes of Boufal.

Of course they’re going to be salty about their captain wanting to leave them. PEH isn’t a magnificent signing but I think he’ll yield consistent 7/10 results on a weekly basis and that’s what we need. We need a solid and reliable midfielder to build the base of our midfield around. He’ll put a shift in and listen to the coach.

 

[felmani26]

This on the face of it is a great deal - not just because of the overall financials, but more importantly getting one of Jose's top targets early doors.

KWP needed this move for his career too after being messed around for too long here so i'm pleased for him to showcase his talents in this league.

 

[H-SF]

I imagine that the thinking for will be that both Lo Celso and Winks will be able to play with Hojbjerg but also with eachother v certain opposition, and that on occasion it might even be all three.

I’ve said already, but I essentially see it as us going with:

1
2 4 5 3
6 8
10
7 ___ 11
9
​

And that those three bold positions will be contested by Winks, Lo Celso, Hojbjerg, Dele, Sissoko and Lamela, adjusted for different types of opposition.

Don’t disagree with this but I think if Ndombele goes we need another midfielder, either a 10 if Mou sees Lo Celso as an 8 or an 8 if he sees him as a 10. Could also see at least one of Sissoko and Lamela leaving.

 

[WannaDanceWithUdogie]

If Ndombele goes we need Coutinho in I reckon

 

[Japhet]

Oh god no, I’ll be gutted when he goes. I’ll understand it but I’ll still wish he’d been what we thought we bought.

I agree but I'm getting more ambivalent about losing Ndombele. If he really can't be arsed to get fit he's no use to us and if we could get a players like Skriniar and Brozovic as per the rumours, that doesn't sound too bad. I'd also like Winks to stay and it would increase the chances of that. Ndombele might become a complete monster or he could equally be a complete rub out. I'm kind of OK with it either way as long as we end up with something in the end.

 

[ItsBoris]

If Ndombele goes we need Coutinho in I reckon

If Ndombele goes it might be in a deal that involves Brozovic from Inter, which I think would be a good deal for us.