Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has given his backing to the club’s reported interest in Southampton skipper Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, claiming that he would be a good fit.
Hojbjerg has established himself as a mainstay in the Saints midfield since joining from Bayern Munich in 2016 for a reported transfer fee of £12.8million (BBC).
He has been one of the most important players for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in the past couple of seasons and has shown with his performances why he was held in such high regard as a youngster at the German giants.
Hojbjerg was linked with a move to Spurs late in the January transfer window with Sky Sports reporting that the Champions League finalists were keen on adding the Danish international to their squad.
A move for the Southampton captain did not materialise and he put in yet another impressive shift for the Saints in last night’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Spurs which the away side ultimately lost 3-2.
Speaking about the 24-year-old while analysing the game for BT Sport (BT Sport 1 HD on 5/2/20 from 19:15), Jenas said: “I think what’s been really impressive is the way that he’s (Hojbjerg) stepped up to the plate.
“Don’t get me wrong I think all these Southampton players were asked the question after that 9-0 defeat to Leicester at home and they’ve all stepped up.
“He seems to be a big leader within the ranks. In the Premier League game at St Mary’s [against Tottenham] he absolutely bossed that midfield.
“He has that authority, he’s got that real kind of combative nature to his game and I think that’s why Spurs were looking at him to see if they can prise him away in the January window.”
Spurs Web Opinion
We are fairly well stocked in central midfield at the moment after the signing of Gedson Fernandes. With Ndombele, Winks, Dier, Lo Celso and Sissoko all looking likely to stay at the club for the long term, I am not sure signing another defensive-minded central midfielder makes sense given our shortages in other areas of the pitch.
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