By Ewah Chika.
At a time the likes of N'golo Kante and Radja Nainggolan are valued above £30 million by their respective clubs not forgetting the £33 million signing of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Mochengladbach by Arsenal this summer, it appears a bargain that Southampton have signed Danish young sensation Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich for £12 million. The Dane is a class quality who is expected to partner Jordy Claise in the centre of the midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation for
Claude Puel's side next season although it appears he has regressed a little given his failed loan spell at Schalke 04 last season. "
"Pep had heard good things about Hojbjerg before coming to Bayern and it has taken just a couple of training sessions for him to fall in love with the player.
"Pep thinks he may have just found the Sergio Busquets of Bayern," were the words of Marti Perarnau in Pep Confidential. However in Guardiola's first season (2013/2014) things did not work out as earlier expected as the midfielder made only eight starts in all competitions due to the fact he was competing with established players like Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipe Lahm and Thiago Alcantara . The death of his father also played a big role in the player's career after the father died of stomach cancer while he was still 18.
Presently Hojbjerg might be seen as a player unable to fulfill his early promise in Bayern Munich after making his debut aged 17 in April 2013 but one good news is the successful loan spell the player had in Augsburg in the second half of the 2014/2015 season as Markus Weinzierla's side finished 5th that season beating Bayern Munich in the process. Although Hojbjerg has not progressed as expected, he cannot be called a failed prospect considering his tender age of 20.
Hojbjerg joins Southampton with the experience of winning both the Champions League and also the German Bundesliga in 2013. With his signing, Southampton have signed a player whose physical (6ft 5in) and technical qualities (good passer of the ball and tackler) will suit the youthful high energy football of the South Coast club.
"I need to find something that fits me. It's clear it won't be a top club. I want a place where there is a perspective. Were his words before departing Bavaria and upon signing for Claude Puel's side had this to say, "When I heard that Southampton came in for me I said to my people that this is what I want to do. Its the way I like to think, its the way I like to play and it fits me really well."
Hojbjerg might have failed to shine in Germany but he might not only turn out to be a a perfect replacement to the departing Kenyan captain Victor Wayama who joined Tottenham this summer but also prove that Bayern and Pep Guardiola were respectively wrong to sell and give up on him so soon. At Southampton he has joined a club with a perfect record of nurturing young talents (Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Adam Llalana and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain). This is not ignoring French man Claude Puel who is credited with nurturing both David Trezeguet, Thierry Henry and Eden Hazard in Monaco and Lille respectively.
One thing is clear though and that is - Hojbjerg and Southampton are a perfect match judging from records.
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