Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg stats are next-level – he’s exactly what Jose Mourinho needed

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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League right now, according to stats. He’s exactly what Tottenham Hotspur needed.

Look at the stats of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and you can’t help but feel Tottenham Hotspur got a bargain. They reportedly paid Southampton £15m for the player but he’s playing far beyond that value.

In fact, he’s arguably the best-performing midfielder in the Premier League right now.

Primarily, he’s there to be a passer. Hojbjerg keeps games ticking over, maintaining possession in midfield with comfortable passes. And in that regard, he’s literally the best.

No player has completed more passes than Hojbjerg, after all – 580 over eight games. These aren’t just sideways passes, either. Per FBref, Hojbjerg is 20th in the league for ‘progressive distance’, or the combined amount of forward ground his passing has made up.

That might not sound too impressive at first as 20th seems quite low. But this is a stat dominated by goalkeepers and defenders, who have little choice but to pass forward. Hojbjerg actually tops the stat for midfielders and you have to go all the way down to 39th before you find another out-and-out midfield player.

He plays a fair few long-balls, too. Only Ruben Neves and Rodi have completed more from midfield.

So to sum up, Hojbjerg is arguably the best-passing midfielder in the Premier League right now. He completes more than anyone, gains more ground than anyone, and passes long at an elite level.

But he’s more than just a passer.

Defensive midfield

As we say, Hojbjerg is primarily there to pass the ball. But his defensive contribution is also fantastic as he shields the defence for Spurs.

For instance, the Dane is seventh when it comes to recovering loose balls – fourth for midfielders. He can tackle, too, completing the third-most in the Premier League.

He actually tops a tackling stat, as well. Hojbjerg has talked 14 players who tried to dribble past him – the most in the league.

Necessity

Hojbjerg is exactly what Tottenham and Jose Mourinho needed this season. We’ve previously written that it was the case but these stats back that up in a fantastic way.

He provides the perfect platform for Spurs’ world-class attack to create and score goals. He’ll find the right players with passes but can keep things as tidy as anyone. Hojbjerg will also recover loose balls after a successful press and win tackles when players run at him on the counter-attack.

Spurs really couldn’t ask for more. Hojbjerg is a fantastic possession player and a brilliant defensive shield. £15m was undoubtedly a bargain.