Fabio Capello believes Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is ‘a complete midfielder’ but thinks Juventus should sign Domenico Berardi instead of the Premier League enforcer.
It seems that some at the Allianz Stadium share Capello’s opinion, too.
As Fabrizio Romano explains, in his latest Caught Offside column, Juventus are likely to prioritise a more attack-minded midfielder during the January transfer window, their hand forced by suspensions to both Paul Pogba and the reigning Serie A Young Player of the Year Nicolo Fagioli.
As such, Romano believes that a bid for Arsenal battleaxe Thomas Partey is increasingly unlikely. With that in mind, the chances of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Kalvin Phillips leaving Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester City for a fresh start at the Italian giants may be rather slim too, Capello insisting that Sassuolo talisman Domenico Berardi instead remains the final piece of Max Allegri’s midfield jigsaw.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s Tottenham future uncertain
“I’ve always thought Phillips is a complete midfielder. And the same is true of Hojbjerg,” Capello tells Gazzetta dello Sport.
“However, Berardi is the creative player Allegri is missing. If (your attackers) move well, Domenico will deliver a perfect pass. His passes are quick and dangerous, not slow, and he’d bring added value to Juventus.
“(Berardi) would create an excellent attacking trio with Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa.”
Hojbjerg’s future remains shrouded in uncertainty six weeks or so away from the opening of the January window. The experienced Denmark international, valued at around £25 million by Spurs, has provided a timely reminder of his importance in recent weeks, stepping in for the suspended Yves Bissouma to excellent effect at Fulham before playing a key role in a sterling effort as nine-man Tottenham threatened to claim a point against Chelsea before Nicolas Jackson’s late show.
Postecoglou praises Hojbjerg
“We had to adjust without (Bissouma after his red card) at Luton, which I thought we did awfully well with 10 men,” Postecoglou told Football London recently.,
“We’ve got some options, certainly Pierre is a ready-made replacement. He’s been training really hard.
“He’s obviously probably wanted to be playing more because he’s pretty much been a constant (in the Tottenham XI) for the last two, three years. But when he has come on for us, he’s done really well.
“For me, he’s the logical one to come in (if a midfielder is unavailable).”
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