“We don’t do the same”- Mourinho reveals if midfielder will play during international break

Jose Mourinho has revealed that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will only be involved in one of Denmark’s three matches during the international break.

The Dane’s host Sweden in a friendly on Wednesday night before a Nations League doubleheader against Iceland and Belgium next week, with the former at home and the latter away.

The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare has revealed that Premier League clubs are unlikely to release their Danish players due to the change in the UK government’s COVID-19 protocols, which calls for all players returning from Denmark to quarantine for 14 days.

Hojbjerg’s has quickly become a key part of the Tottenham set up, highlighted by the fact that the midfielder has not missed a single minute of the club’s Premier League campaign so far (transfermarkt.com).

Mourinho confirmed that the 24-year-old will not be joining up with his national squad for their games against Sweden and Iceland at home but Hojbjerg will fly to Belgium for the Nations League encounter next Wednesday.

When asked if Tottenham will stop Hojbjerg from travelling to international duty as other Premier League clubs are with their Danish players, the Portuguese coach told Football.London: “We don’t do the same. Pierre is in contact with his national team, he obviously wants to play for his national team.

“Of course we want Pierre back and in condition to play and it looks like we have found a situation that protects us and the player and allows him to play one match.

“The situation is simple. The first match is a friendly against Sweden, he doesn’t go. The second game is in the Nations League at home in Copenhagen, he is suspended because he got a yellow card against England so he is not going.

“The third game is Belgium-Denmark so he stays with us and works with us and goes to Belgium, he does what he wants and plays with the greatest pride for his national team and then he comes back. The situation fits everyone.”

Related Topics