Pierre Emile Hojbjerg has become a key player in Antonio Conte's regular starting line-up. At the start of the season the Dane was creating a solid partnership alongside Oliver Skipp but with the 21-year-old's injury and the arrival of Rodrigo Bentancur, Hojbjerg is now starting games in the middle with the Uruguayan.
The 26-year-old has made 44 appearances this season, scoring three goals and registering four assists, starting 32 out of the 33 Premier League games he has been involved in. Hojbjerg has been making an impact at both ends of the field, producing 109 accurate long balls, having 28 shots and producing 72 tackles in his league features.
The Dane has experienced some mixed performances this season, with spells of sloppy play, but he has improved under Antonio Conte and become a key member of the squad in recent matches. After Tottenham's 5-1 victory over Newcastle, the Spurs boss gave Hojbjerg some unprompted praise when asked about Harry Kane in his post match press conference.
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"Also Pierre, no one asked me about him, but I think in every game he is doing a fantastic job, with the ball, without the ball, strong physically. Every player is improving their level and for this reason Tottenham is going up and up," Conte admitted.
In February, the Italian also commended the Danish international for his value to the Spurs team. "Pierre is another important player for us, he's young but he's more experienced that others and he's a good player," the 52-year-old said.
Hojbjerg's game time for club and country, as well as his age, has helped him build valuable experience and he has become a vocal leader figure on the pitch. Ahead of Tottenham's 3-1 victory over Leicester on Sunday, the midfielder opened up on his career so far and gave special mention to Pep Guardiola and what the Spanish manager taught him.
"Guardiola came in my second year [at Bayern Munich]. He taught me positioning, how to analyse the game," Hojbjerg told the Daily Mail.
"I learned about hunger for trophies. I was lucky to share a dressing room with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Daniel van Buyten, the captain of Belgium, [Manuel] Neuer, fantastic personality, Mario Mandzukic, nasty fella but there when you need him."
Hojbjerg experienced silverware during his time at Bayern Munich, something that he is longing for at Tottenham. "I want to try and play for the big titles," the 26-year-old admitted.
"I’m not scared to say when you go to Tottenham, people might not expect you to win things because of recent history. I fully understand that but really want to change the cycle. Also, for my own career, my ambition, I want to fight."
Hojbjerg isn't always one of the standout players during games, which is arguably down the fact his style isn't the most eye-catching. But when the midfielder is playing at his best, he is a strong presence in the middle and works hard to make an impact at both ends of the pitch.
"You don’t associate my style with big headlines but my contribution is for the team. One thing I know I can do is compete with anyone because it’s in my blood. I like to push everyone, starting with myself, to the limit," he said.
Just as Conte has praised Hojbjerg, the Danish international has also complimented his new boss for the "responsibility" he gives his players. The midfielder explained that when the Italian first arrived, Spurs were "stiff" and struggled to "express themselves" but time has allowed them to become "more flexible".
"The demand for perfection in training caught my eye straight away. It can be the difference between winning or not, achieving your goals, being a champion," Hojbjerg explained.
"My best position is deep. I have the eye for choosing the moment when to go forward or to play a ball that can kill but when you have a Harry Kane in your team or a Son [Heung-min], sometimes they do that part for you.
"You need to make sure at the back and behind them, it is clean. Sometimes a strong five-yard pass between two players is enough for Harry, he turns and puts it in or does a great pass for Sonny."
Tottenham are currently fifth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth placed Arsenal, with four games to go. The Lilywhites still have to play their rescheduled North London Derby and face a trip to Anfield this weekend.
Therefore there is still hope for a place inside the top four and Hojbjerg gave his thoughts on the ongoing battle. "We are capable of finishing in the top four," he said.
"The Champions League is the big prize, it also shapes the team to maybe one day compete for cups and the Premier League. Winning is like a drug.
"After that, second place is not acceptable. Maybe it’s better I don’t say it but we are closer than we have been."
