Conte ‘will love’ Hojbjerg after what I’ve seen at Tottenham – pundit
Kevin Phillips has heaped praise on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg after Tottenham beat Crystal Palace.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 2000 European Golden Shoe winner said the 26-year-old “goes under the radar” but will be “one of the first names” on the team sheet.
Spurs maintained their unbeaten league start under Antonio Conte with a comfortable 3-0 win over Palace on Boxing Day.
Hojbjerg successfully completed two tackles, two interceptions and six accurate long balls over the course of the match. (WhoScored)
Phillips admitted he was “sceptical” when Spurs signed the Denmark international from Southampton.
“Hojbjerg is one of those players who just does his job,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“He goes under the radar a bit but he is a great player.
“I was sceptical when he signed for Tottenham but he is one of the first names on the team sheet.
“He does a side of the game that a lot of players don’t want to, don’t enjoy doing. He gets stuck in but he also creates. I saw him doing one-twos the other night in the lead up to one of the goals. He is a really good player.
“I wouldn’t say he’s underrated but he’s a player not talked about.
“I expect Conte loves him. I’m sure he’s one of the first names Conte writes on the team sheet.”
Hojbjerg has been a regular starter since arriving in north London.
He has made 23 appearances across all competitions this season.
In other news, there is a significant update on Newcastle signing Dele Alli after two sources update today.