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Spurs: André might be the ideal successor to Hojbjerg.
Despite the euphoria around the new Ange Postecoglou era at Tottenham Hotspur, the club’s recent 3-2 setback to rivals West Ham United in the club’s first pre-season game has highlighted the amount of work that remains to be done in order for the Lilywhites to shake off last season’s baggage.
To try to improve on the disappointing 2022/23 campaign, the ex-Celtic manager is set to oversee a team clearout at N17, with long-serving captain Hugo Lloris among those expected to depart.
One possible surprise exit is the transfer of previous everpresent Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, with recent rumors claiming that the Danish midfielder – who has started 109 of the club’s last 114 Premier League games – is on his way to Atletico Madrid.
That high-profile departure will almost certainly necessitate the need for a quality replacement in the center of the park, with Postecoglou maybe already having identified a potential dream heir to the 27-year-old…
Who could step in for Hojbjerg at Spurs?
According to a recent 90min story, the north Londoners, along with a number of other Premier League clubs, are thought to have been offered the chance to sign Fluminense youngster André after meeting with the 22-year-old’s representatives.
According to the report, Fulham are presently dominating the fight for the Brazilian’s signature, with a sum of approximately £25 million being suggested – after the Cottagers failed to achieve a £20 million deal in January.
André is a Fluminense midfielder.
If Postecoglou is looking to replace Hojbjerg at the base of the midfield this summer, then the experienced coach would certainly be wise to look to André as a possible bargain option, with the 5 foot 9 sensation having showcased his credentials in his homeland of late.
The one-cap Brazil international, who has made 142 club appearances for his current club, appears to have the tools to succeed the current Tottenham man at N17, as evidenced by his instinctive poise when in control.
That is demonstrated by the fact that, while Hojbjerg is in the top 8% of his European contemporaries in pass completion (at an average of 88.2% per 90), the Fluminense star is even more secure on the ball, having attained an average pass accuracy rate of 93.2% per 90 over the last 365 days.
The youngster, who has been praised for his “superb technique” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, shares Hojbjerg’s desire to try and dictate proceedings where possible, as he averages 76.06 attempted passes per 90, compared to the experienced Dane’s 65.70, ranking in the top 12% in Europe.
Not just a lightweight option, André – dubbed a “jewel” by Kulig – is also adept at winning back possession for his team, averaging 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game in 12 league appearances this season, with his Tottenham counterpart trailing behind with three tackles and interceptions per game in 35 league starts last season.
With the younger man’s ability to drive forward from deep – he averaged 1.6 successful dribbles per game, compared to Hojbjerg’s 0.9 – he could well prove to be Postecoglou’s new midfield general next season.
The goal now will be to see if the competitor interest in the talented playmaker continues…