Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has claimed he is confident the current Spurs team can achieve big things as long as they show full commitment and desire every time they take to the pitch.
Hojbjerg has been an ever-present in Tottenham’s midfield since arriving from Southampton a year and a half ago.
The midfielder has quickly matured into one of the leaders of the Spurs side, which is perhaps why he has seemingly won the trust of all three full-time managers he has had at North London so far.
The 26-year-old opened up on how his personal experiences during his teen years helped shape him into the person he is today.
Hojbjerg admitted to the club’s matchday programme (as relayed by Football.London): “I think who we are inside our hearts and minds comes down to how we grow up and what character we formed when we were young and had to find our way in life.
“It’s a little bit the same with me. My path to the way I am today – the ups and downs. It shapes you to the way you are today.
“From the season that I was ‘Talent of the Year’ in my country, and I moved to Bayern Munich, to the year after that I lost my father to cancer. Three years after that I had my first child.
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“These moments shape you in life and they eventually make the personality and create the heart that you carry with you, but I’ve always been proud of who I am, and I always have done everything with great desire.
“I’m 100 per cent authentic in that. Whatever I do, I go all in. It’s the same with what I do in life, and I think it is important to stay true to who you are and still be open to learn and to improve.”
The Dane admitted that he is a big believer that the team’s work ethic and desire are the most important variables in achieving success, and that it is something he demands from his teammates.
He added: “Desire can take you all the way, not just a long way, all the way. For me, it’s always been the first point. This is the way to work hard and to put yourself on the line.
“This is what I love to see from my team-mates, it’s what everyone loves, the fans love it. I’ve always said it. I’m a very ambitious person. Not only as a football player but as a person.
“I demand a lot from myself, which makes me push myself every day and give my best, which is the main target. Always try to give your best and, with that, I have hope and I am confident that big things can be achieved.”
The Christmas period in England is particularly challenging for players, given that matches come thick and fast.
Hojbjerg insisted that he loves the English tradition of playing football over the festive period, even though he might be deprived of the pleasure of engaging in festivities with his family.
The Spurs man said about the busy schedule: “It comes down to giving something to the people. It is also what this festive period is about.
“To be able to give some joy and excitement through football, not only to ourselves but to the people following us, that is something exciting to be part of as a player.
“This is why I love English football, the English set-up, all the games, people excited about it at Christmas time, we can eat salad while people eat pudding and have a pint. No problem with that!
“I think it’s very special these circumstances in England, I enjoy it a lot, it’s exciting and hopefully we’ll get a lot of wins.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I have always felt that Hojbjerg is a bit of a throwback to players from a decade or two ago in terms of the attitude with which he approaches the game.
He is very different to most modern-day footballers, who like almost everyone in my generation, are generally a little more self-centred and hesitant to take on responsibility.
The likes of Oliver Skipp, Ryan Sessegnon and the other young players at Spurs will benefit a great deal by having someone like the Dane in the dressing room.
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