Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s protracted move to Tottenham was finally officially confirmed yesterday.
The former Bayern Munich star let his Southampton contract dwindle, and Spurs have completed a deal which BBC report is worth less than the Saints original £25 million asking price.
Their outlay is offset by Kyle Walker-Peters moving the other way and we’ve picked out three other Spurs men who are impacted by the Dane’s arrival…
Oliver Skipp
Youngster Skipp was already down the pecking order in terms of central midfielders at Spurs even before Hojbjerg’s arrival.
Skipp is a ball player who wants to anchor midfield and that’s exactly the position Hojbjerg has come in to take.
His arrival only increases the likelihood of a loan move, which the Evening Standard reported in July Skipp was pushing for.
That would be the best thing for Skipp’s development.
Eric Dier
Mourinho shunted Dier into defence for the closing weeks of the season, and that’s where he looks set to stay after the arrival of another holding player.
Combined with the departure of Jan Vertonghen, it appears the England international is set for a full campaign at centre half.
Dier has always seemed a touch too slow to press and in possession to be an elite defensive midfielder and reverting back to defence, where he can see the whole game in front of him, should suit him.
Given England’s lack of quality central defenders, that could help him get back into Gareth Southgate’s plans as well.
Harry Winks
Winks established himself at the base of Mourinho’s midfield, but Hojbjerg is a player in a very similar mould.
The England international faces a real battle to keep his place. It’s not usually the best sign when the manager signs someone to play in your position.
There is the chance the pair could play together in a double pivot at the back of midfield, but Spurs finished the season playing 4-3-3.
Winks, like Dier, will have one eye on next summer’s European Championship, and needs to be playing regularly to impress Gareth Southgate.
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