Don Hutchison has warned Tottenham fans that the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will not get them into the top-four next season.
Speaking to ESPN, Hutchison shared that Jose Mourinho will ‘love’ Hojbjerg because of his combativeness, but made it clear that Spurs need more players signed if they are to earn Champions League football next term.
BBC Sport recently reported that both Southampton and Spurs have agreed on a fee for the midfielder, who was also attracting interest from Everton.
As Hojbjerg’s move to Spurs looks imminent, Hutchison, the former Liverpool and Everton midfielder, provided a pretty honest review of what he can bring to the table in North London.
“I think it’s a good bit of business but it’s not going to make Tottenham into a top-four side or challenge for the title,” Hutchison told ESPN. “It’ll stiffen their midfield up.
“You think of people like Sissoko, who is a very good athlete, goes box-to-box and has had a very good 18 months. And Harry Winks, whose technically very good, but his passing range is quite limited. He’s only a 10, 15, 20-yard passer of the ball.
“So, he’ll certainly get around the pitch Hojbjerg and he’ll put his foot in. Jose will absolutely love him and Tottenham fans will like that. He’s very combative. But if it’s just one signing, and Tottenham fans are thinking ‘this is the signing that’s going to get us into the top-four’, nowhere near.”
There’s no doubt that Hojbjerg suits Mourinho’s style of play because he is a midfielder that can get forward, but more importantly, he can provide that strength in defence.
Added with that, given his age, 25, he still has a lot to learn, and under Mourinho’s stewardship, he could prove to be a top-quality signing down the line.
But there is no doubt that the Spurs faithful will want more signings this summer, with right-back, centre-back and a striker needed for quality and depth going forward.
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