Speaking on Episode 106 of The Total Saints Podcast (Sunday 11:35pm), American-based Southampton fan Alex Hart says “wouldn’t be the saddest” if captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg left the club for a decent fee this summer, and compared him to a former player of the south coast outfit in Morgan Schneiderlin.
What did he say?
Well, the topic of discussion on the podcast was what the priorities need to be for Saints come the summer transfer window, but Hart’s first point was that any potential incomings could depend on who they move on first.
Indeed, managing director Toby Steele already said last week that owner Gao Jisheng won’t be investing any of his own money into the club having recorded losses of £34m up until June 2019, and a bloated squad – the likes of Moi Elyounoussi, Mario Lemina, Fraser Forster, Guido Carrillo and Wesley Hoedt are all out on loan right now – suggests sales are needed before new additions can be brought into St Mary’s.
With just over a year remaining on his contract and having been linked with a move to Tottenham in recent weeks, Hart brought up the subject of the Denmark international, saying (36:45): “This might be sacrilege but I’m curious to know what you think and the other listeners, but I wouldn’t be the saddest to see Hojbjerg go if we get £35m or £40m for him from Tottenham. I don’t think he’s where Schneiderlin ever was and I don’t know if he necessarily will get there.”
Is that the correct verdict?
It might seem a bit crazy to not be too bothered about your skipper, rated at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, leaving from a neutral point of view, but there is some logic around it.
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The Dane may be someone whose commitment and mentality in a red and white shirt can never be questioned, but someone of his quality on the ball leaves a lot to be desired.
For example, as per WhoScored the 24-year-old’s passing accuracy in the Premier League this season stands at just 77.2%, compared to Schneiderlin in his final two seasons at St Mary’s with 89.3%.
He also has just one assist and no goals in 28 top-flight appearances, which probably isn’t enough given his usual central midfield partner James Ward-Prowse doesn’t contribute in open play goals and assists too often either.
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That said, WhoScored tweeted prior to the defeat against West Ham United this month that Hojbjerg had won possession in the midfield third more than any other Premier League player in 2019/20 – quite an impressive stat.
If the right offer comes in and if he has no intention of signing a new contract, Southampton would probably be better off sending the Denmark international on his way.
In other Southampton news, Daily Echo journalist Dan Sheldon says another key Saints man is “quite keen to sign a new deal”…