Former Denmark international Morten Bruun insists he is not ‘worried’ about Pierre Emile Hojbjerg’s uncertain future at Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone opening the door to the midfielder’s signing.
Those who immediately wrote off Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s hopes of establishing himself as a key player under Ange Postecoglou were, perhaps, guilty of discarding the former Bayern Munich man a little prematurely.
While not the most cultured ball-player, Tottenham’s number five did make big improvements with regards to his output in possession last term. With five goals and seven assists, it was his finest campaign from a purely statistically perspective too.
And Bruun, who earned 11 caps for Denmark in the 1990s, is confident that Hojbjerg will emerge as a key player wherever he is plying his trade next term, be it Tottenham, Atletico Madrid or somewhere else.
Tottenham must make Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg decision
“The occasional Tottenham coach has always looked Pierre-Emile’s way. In many ways, he is every coach’s dream with his effort and work-rate,” Bruun tells TV2.
“So (whether he stays or goes) also depends on what he himself wants. Whether he wants to try his hand in another league. In relation to the national team, I am not worried. Rather, on the contrary, I am more worried about all the others after watching that match in Slovenia (a 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifying draw in June).
“(Hojbjerg) will probably make a breakthrough regardless of where he ends up. And if he stays at Tottenham, it is also a terrific club to be at.”
Hojbjerg joined Tottenham from Southampton for a fee of £15 million back in 2020. He is, in many ways, about as typical a Diego Simeone signing as you could imagine; a leader on and off the pitch, and a player willing to give his all in pursuit of a positive result (The Times).
Atletico Madrid keen
The Atletico boss was quizzed about Hojbjerg’s potential arrival on Tuesday. And while the Argentine was reluctant to discuss any targets directly, he did admit that midfield reinforcements are required at the Wanda Metropolitano.
“We need a midfielder to share that spot with Koke and give that position more competition,” Simeone accepts. “The season is long, the characteristics of those we have around Koke are not pure midfielders.
“(Geoffrey) Kondogbia left (for Marseille). We see (Axel) Witsel more as a centre-back, although he can play as a midfielder. But we believe that we are going to compete better with the arrival of another midfielder. (One who) gives us personality, ability and internal competition.”
“The club will decide (who to sign).”
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