Southampton player stagnates, ‘development has stalled’, but club won’t sell him

 

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is the kind of footballer fans want to do well. The Southampton midfielder is ambitious, works hard, and his enthusiasm for the game shines through during interviews.

However, he’s not having the best time of it right now. Out of Denmark’s senior squad, Højbjerg hasn’t even been called up to the U21 side. Denmark’s U21 manager explained he wants other players, who helped in qualifying for this summer’s U21 tournament, to be given first chance to take part.

Højbjerg has made 19 starts for Southampton so far in his first season, it’s not such a bad situation for the 21 year old under Claude Puel, but in Denmark it’s seen as an issue.

The midfielder is thought to have stagnated and former Denmark international, and current commentator, Morten Bruun is quoted by Ekstra Bladet as saying: “Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s development has stalled. He has not moved on this season and in the national team has been overtaken by Thomas Delaney and Lasse Schøne. He has plenty of ball contact and lacks an end product.”

Bruun doesn’t believe that Southampton have a plan to quickly sell the player, and nor should they.

It’s all a little harsh on the youngster, Denmark may be better served in the long-term by backing him.