Mourinho makes a big prediction on 'genius' Hojbjerg's future

The summer signing proved his worth yet again to help Tottenham bag a 2-0 derby win over Arsenal on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho has tipped Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to become a manager and revealed how the Dane often proves to be a ‘pain’ by questioning him over his own decisions.

The former Southampton midfielder, who arrived in London over the summer for a reported €16.6m, has started all eleven of Tottenham’s Premier League games to help them move top of the standings.

In fact, Hojbjerg hasn’t missed a single minute of action in the league this season.

Despite Son Heung-min and Harry Kane grabbing the match-winning goals against Arsenal, Hojbjerg impressed in midfield and made many noteworthy contributions throughout the derby.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg's game by numbers vs. Arsenal:

100% take-ons completed
100% aerial duels won
61 touches
8 duels won
8 ball recoveries
5 clearances
3 interceptions
3 fouls conceded
3 fouls won
1 shot

José's warrior. 💪 pic.twitter.com/3jZ5tbk4Qy

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 6, 2020

“Pierre is, first of all, very intelligent. He reads the game very well. He’s going to be a coach one day, for sure,” said Spurs boss Mourinho as quoted on Goal.

“He’s a pain, asking questions about why we do this and why we do that. On the pitch, he reads the situation very, very well and the people that surround him are really compact, they read the game.

“Physically he’s very, very strong and technically he’s much better than people think. Because sometimes people think the guy that is good technically is the guy that does the backheel.

“The guy that is good technically is the guy that does something wonderful. But these are not my words. These are words from coaches of 30, 40 years ago. Simplicity is genius.

“And the guy is so simple in everything he does with the ball. And I think he’s a phenomenal player. Congratulations, Mr. [Daniel] Levy [Spurs chairman].”

Mourinho will need Hojbjerg at the top of his game for Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Antwerp at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs head into the last Group J match in second-place and two points behind the Belgian leaders, meaning only a victory will be good enough to seal the top spot.