Mourinho reveals how Hojbjerg can benefit Harry Winks at Tottenham

Jose Mourinho has suggested that Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg’s arrival to Spurs may help to bring the best out of Harry Winks.

In his first appearance in a Spurs shirt against Ipswich Town last Saturday, Hojbjerg started alongside Winks in midfield and the pair worked together rather well in the first half.

Both players took turns in pressing the opposition high up the pitch, while always showing for ball and recycling possession efficiently.

In fact, the pair seemed to have a natural understanding with each other despite playing together for the first time, albeit against sub-par opposition.

Speaking after the game, Mourinho admitted that it was a pity that fans were not at the stadium to watch Hojbjerg’s first appearance in a Tottenham shirt.

When asked about the Denmark international’s performance on debut, the Spurs boss told the club’s official website: “It’s a pity, empty stadium, I imagine if it was normal times we would have a few thousand here, and that’s one of the things that attracted Pierre to our Club, to play in this stadium with people, and we miss it. I think people can get an idea of what he can do for us. For (Harry) Winks, it’s very comfortable to play with Pierre on his side.”

The 57-year-old also admitted his delight on securing the signing on an experienced winner like Joe Hart.

Speaking about the England international’s arrival to North London, Mourinho said: “Michel (Vorm)… I don’t know if he was in the last year of his career, but he was close to it, and to bring in Joe, 75 caps for England, lots of experience, that’s great protection for us to have these three goalkeepers, all of them internationals, all of them good goalkeepers.

“You can sleep well because you know any injury, illness, any problems, we have three goalkeepers and with some crazy fixtures that are waiting for us, playing all the competitions, starting the Carabao Cup immediately at the same time as Europa League and Premier League, even goalkeepers cannot play every match, so it’s very, very good business for us.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While it is still too early to say how we will line up next season, it does look like Hojbjerg has been bought in to partner Winks in the double-pivot rather than as an upgrade over the England international. I was not particularly surprised to see the former Saints man often play further advanced than Winks against Ipswich. Both players seemed to have interchangeable roles in pressing the opposition as well as in snuffing out counter-attacks.

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