‘Not the greatest of players’ – Arsenal legend makes Hojbjerg claim

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has claimed that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is not the most talented of footballers but admitted that the midfielder still does a very important job for Tottenham.

Hojbjerg has quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Spurs side since arriving from Southampton during the summer transfer window and has been one of the signings of the summer across the Premier League.

The Dane is a vocal leader for Jose Mourinho’s side in the middle of the park and has shielded the Spurs backline expertly so far this season despite having two blips in his respective performances against Everton.

Hojbjerg stated in an interview with SportBild earlier this week (via Sport Witness) that his main job at Tottenham is to organise the team and admitted that he enjoys the extra responsibility.

While speaking in the context of the type of signings Mikel Arteta needs to make at Arsenal, Parlour identified that the Gunners need players like the former Southampton man in order to get the best out of others.

Parlour told talkSPORT: “Sometimes don’t go for the best players, go for the people that are going to make a difference.

“Look at Hojbjerg what he’s done for Spurs. He’s not the greatest of players, but he does a great job. Sometimes you need players like that in a team to get the best out of the other players.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Hojbjerg possesses a lot of excellent attributes, including a brilliant ability to read the game which allows him to be at the right positions to make interceptions. His ability to organise the team almost makes him an extension of the manager on the pitch. However, most Spurs fans would admit that the 25-year-old is not the most naturally gifted footballer.

In fact, if there is one small criticism I have of Hojbjerg, it is that he seems to sometimes try things with the ball that his limited skillset does not allow him to do. A prime example of that was Everton’s first goal yesterday when he needlessly gave the ball way looked to play/dribble out from the back.

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