In the face of Tottenham’s lineup reshuffle scheduled for Monday’s clash against Fulham, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is poised for his season’s first Premier League start. The Denmark international, who was widely rumored for a move away from Tottenham this summer, is stepping

up to the plate to fill the void left by Yves Bissouma’s suspension.

Summer Move Rumors

This past summer, Hojbjerg was the center of a swirl of transfer talks. Fulham expressed their interest in the 28-year-old on the transfer deadline day, but no deal came into fruition with them or with Atletico Madrid. Despite making only one start this season in the Carabao Cup, Hojbjerg has already left his mark on the team’s dynamics. He has come off the bench in seven of Tottenham’s eight league matches, underlining his indispensability in the Spurs roster.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham’s new head coach, firmly believes in Hojbjerg’s commitment to the club. “Throughout the entire transfer window, I never once doubted Pierre’s loyalty,” said Postecoglou. He further recalled their conversations, where Hojbjerg expressed a desire to be a part of the team’s future growth.

Underutilized Talent?

Although Hojbjerg’s desire for more game time is understandable, Postecoglou maintained that the team’s overall performance has dictated his field time. Hojbjerg had to wait for his opportunity, and he did so with consummate professionalism. However, his significance cannot be downplayed as he’s played an undeniable part in the Spurs’ victories, especially those won in the dying minutes of the game.

“We couldn’t thrive solely on our starting lineup,” said Postecoglou. He emphasizes that every player, regardless of time spent on the pitch, contributes to the team’s success. This sentiment resonates especially with Hojbjerg, whose immense professionalism and thirst for nailing down a place in the starting XI has been well received by his coach and teammates.

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Future Moves

Despite persistent rumors of his departure, Hojbjerg continues to have the coach’s backing and may find more opportunities in the upcoming months. With Pape Sarr and Bissouma, two of Tottenham’s key players, leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024, the team may need Hojbjerg more than ever.

For now, Postecoglou’s focus lies on tackling Fulham, especially without Bissouma, arguably one of Tottenham’s best performers this season.

Striking the Perfect Balance

Postecoglou acknowledges the challenge of perfecting the team’s formation, with variables like fitness, form, training performance, and opposition strategy influencing his decisions. Bissouma’s absence in the Luton game was seamless, but the upcoming test against Fulham will require further tactical tweaks.

Touting Hojbjerg as a ‘ready-made’ replacement, the coach sees no alternative. Hojbjerg, who has consistently impressed over the past two to three years, has been awaiting chances like this to prove his mettle. According to Postecoglou, he seems to be the logical choice, but the final decision will be made after assessing the team’s performance in the forthcoming training sessions.