Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has insisted he is fully focussed on helping Tottenham to win every single game during the upcoming season, adding that he is prepared to do whatever Antonio Conte asks of him.
Hojbjerg did struggle for consistency in the first half of the 2021/22 campaign but the midfielder had a strong end to the season, having formed a formidable partnership with Rodrigo Bentancur.
The Dane will face more competition for his place in the side during the upcoming season after Spurs’ acquisition of Yves Bissouma this summer.
Hojbjerg partnered the former Brighton man in midfield during Tottenham’s final pre-season friendly of the summer against AS Roma on Saturday.
The 26-year-old said that while the defeat was not ideal, the kind of competitive game that Spurs had in Israel was exactly what they needed ahead of the season opener against Southampton on Saturday.
Hojbjerg told Spurs TV: “We didn’t get the result we wanted, so in that case, obviously disappointed, but I thought that in terms of the tactical, technical and physical aspect of the game, what the coach wanted from us, a big part of the game we brought that.
“Of course, we need to be a bit sharper in every situation, but again, it is pre-season, and these are the things we are working on, but you have some good situations with some high pressing and some, I wouldn’t call them big chances but some opportunities we created, by moving the ball quick so, in that case, it was positive.
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“I think we could have done that even more, but again, I think everyone is pushing really well, and at the moment, we are training really hard, and everyone I think is responding in a fantastic way, so overall, I think the team is pushing really good and responding really well to what the coach wants.”
When asked how Bissouma was settling in at the club, Hojbjerg responded: “I think he [Bissouma] is a good player that the club has taken.
“The same regards to the other players that have arrived, and everyone is responding well, and the coaches are demanding a lot, and I think everyone is taking the information on board.
“Again, responding well and trying to create their own personality in that system, which is good and positive and something that the team will also benefit from.
“So overall, the players that have arrived, I think they are all really good players, and again, it’s important with the competition.”
Hojbjerg also declared that he will give his all to ensure that Spurs are able to win silverware whether or not he is selected to play in the side by Conte in any given week.
The midfielder added: “I’m in a good moment in my career, but I can still learn a lot, and I still want to progress a lot.
“The main thing that I wake up every day and I push myself is, for one thing, that is to try and win. Win everything that I touch, and I know this is something that is also a big objective for the club.
“Personally for me, the only thing that matters is to win something, and I think the more experience you get in your career, the vision gets even clearer.
“I can say very clear for me, is to go and to try and win everything because that’s the player I want to be, and that’s what I want to do with my career.
“When I’ve finished, I will look back in the mirror and say I did everything I could to win the competition I played in. Will it happen or not? God knows.
“What I know, 100 per cent sure, is that I want to be able to look myself in the mirror and know I gave my everything, and when the coach needs me, I will be there and ready to help the team, and if not, I will still be there and give my best side because this is who I am. I want to represent myself every day in the best possible way.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I cannot help but be impressed with Hojbjerg every single time he speaks. While the Spurs fan base seems to be split regarding the 26-year-old’s strengths and weaknesses as a player, there is no doubt that having a dedicated professional like him in the squad can only be good for dressing room morale.
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