It’s international break time. Again. Clubs send their players off around the world and hope they don’t return with injuries, and also that they don’t tell their local media about problems at club level.
There’ll be players claiming mistranslations of interviews when they get back to their clubs, but Southampton have no such worry with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. The 21 year old is mature beyond his years and speaks about his career with intelligence and calmness.
“I started playing a lot in the Premier League. Then I joined the national team, and when I came back to the club, they would have some fresh players and I played in the Europa League.
“When we are finished with the national team this time, it’s a long time for national team matches again. And then I hope that I can get stuck into the Premier League. The main thing is that I play a lot of matches. I think I’ve played 15-16 matches.
“I develop myself all the time. And if you have to develop in football, you have to play. So you must have experience, dare to make mistakes and learn from the mistakes.
“I have a coach who likes me while watching the mistakes I make, and who dares to react and take hold of me.”
Højbjerg sounds like a managerial dream for Puel, someone very keen to take on board constructive criticism and improve his all round game, which can only benefit Southampton.
The youngster has enjoyed himself so far at Southampton, and once again said all the right things: “It’s been exciting. It’s been cool. I’ve been glad I could fall quickly into the team and understand the philosophy, playing style and mentality.”
