Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has always been wise beyond his years. We were made clear that he was no ordinary 21-year-old on 19 August 2016.
After Southampton had been defeated 2-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford in somewhat unfortunate circumstances, the Dane was summoned to give his verdict to Sky Sports.
Claude Puel’s side were unlucky that day – Saints had 57% possession – as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a brace. Two lapses in concentration at the back provided the hosts with golden opportunities, and the much-heralded striker made no mistake.
Few would remember Hojbjerg’s performance, given the acclaim that was apportioned to a new-look United side that included Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic, orchestrated by Jose Mourinho. But the Southampton man’s display in the middle was typical of his nature: understated, efficient and intelligent.
His post-match interview lives long in the memory. As Sky Sports sought desperately to get a line from the Pep Guardiola disciple about the display of Ibrahimovic, Hojbjerg was respectful but dismissive. “It’s not about Zlatan,” he said, turning greater attention towards the actions of himself and his teammates, taking ownership of a defeat that was by no means a product of his own efforts.
At 21, Hojbjerg showed all the requisite facets of a leader. In only his second Premier League appearance – his first start – he displayed the level-headedness required for what was the beginning of a transitional period at Southampton.
Fast forward four years and Hojbjerg is leading the team out every week, the captain’s armband adorning the Saints shirt which he has pulled on with unconditional pride since completing a move to the club from Bayern Munich. He’s always been dependable, but now Southampton, and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, for that matter, rely on him.
Hojbjerg has been symbolic of the club in many ways since his arrival. During frustrating periods under the likes of Puel, Mauricio Pellegrino and Mark Hughes, he made mistakes, came in for criticism, but eventually reaped the rewards for his hard work. He tried, tried and tried again, even when the odds were stacked against him, and the performances were not matching up to the levels of work rate. He got it right in the end, just as Saints have with Hasenhuttl after a trio of incompatible managers.
The 24-year-old now epitomises the exciting project that is developing as the days go by at St Mary’s. He is a vastly experienced yet still youthful player who has been handed big responsibility in a dressing room by which big egos are not welcome. Hasenhuttl regards him as the nucleus of his plans, and the perfect leader to contribute to an already-prevalent core, consisting of the likes of Jan Bednarek and Nathan Redmond.
Hojbjerg is well-loved by Southampton fans – after all, it’s difficult not to become immediately fond of him from only a glance towards the pitch. The Denmark international plays intensely, and with his head up; scanning with poise as he analyses the game in front of and behind him. He encourages his peers and refuses to allow their standards to drop. Quite simply? He gets it. He understands what it means to captain a Premier League football club, and he embraces the responsibility as opposed to neglecting it.
Only last night, he led by example in more ways than one. With Ryan Bertrand injured and Jake Vokins not yet fancied, Hasenhuttl called on his captain to play at left-back in the Carabao Cup match against Fulham. Hojbjerg had little experience of operating in this position – the closest he had previously come was at Bayern Munich, where Guardiola would only briefly experiment with him as a right wing-back – but took a new challenge in his stride.
Southampton won 1-0, and much of the focus was placed upon the attacking players who fought to find a place in the manager’s thinking for the clash against United this weekend. Hojbjerg was Saints’ best player, though. Without panic nor discomfort, he adapted seamlessly to his boss’ somewhat peculiar demands, turning in a resolute defensive display and controlling the tempo of the match with his intelligent selection of pass. He set Nathan Redmond on his way with a perfectly-executed, lofted ball down the channel before Michael Obafemi latched onto the winger’s low cross to score.
Hojbjerg didn’t shirk from the difficulties of adjusting to a different role in the team, and performed to his usual, high standards. When the full-time whistle blew, his duties as a captain were not concluded for the night, either.
As Southampton players made their way towards the Craven Cottage tunnel, situated in the corner to the right of the away section, the bulk applauded those who travelled to London for a warm, midweek clash in the Carabao Cup. Danny Ings was one who made a beeline for the tunnel, perhaps innocently forgetting to acknowledge the supporters initially, but was stopped in his tracks by none other than Hojbjerg, who unceremoniously instructed his teammate – three years his senior – to display his appreciation to the Sants fans.
He acted with similarly classy leadership only days ago at Brighton and Hove Albion, too. Late into the match, when the score-line was settled at 2-0, and the job was done, there was minor furore surrounding who would take a free-kick just outside of the box. Sofiane Boufal threw his hat into the ring after drawing the foul and appeared adamant that he would be the man to strike the ball goalwards. Southampton’s designated free-kick taker James Ward-Prowse was having none of it.
A similar incident occurred in February 2018. Boufal was desperate to take a free-kick against West Brom in a must-win game for Saints as the pressure continued to pile on Pellegrino, and an unnecessary scene was caused. Jack Stephens, among others, was forced to step in and usher the Moroccan away from the dead-ball opportunity, leaving him less than impressed. Ward-Prowse stepped up and scored, as Saints clinched a vital win on the road. Boufal’s antics did, however, reflect a lack of structure on the pitch, with little sign of then-captain Ryan Bertrand stepping in and setting the record straight. Hojbjerg incidentally replaced Boufal in the closing stages of the match.
This time, Ward-Prowse didn’t score. But little came of Boufal’s initial demands to take the free-kick; he was visibly disappointed, having worked hard to win his team a set-piece high up the pitch. However, in stepped the calming presence of Hojbjerg, whose arm around the shoulder and firm words in his ear led to no great upset at the end of a pleasing day for Southampton.
It’s been some time since the intangible concept of ‘leadership’ has been adequately fulfilled by a Saints player. Some have performed with the consistency to lead by example on the pitch, but few have conducted themselves with the professionalism, discipline and maturity that Hojbjerg has.
He will lead Southampton out against Manchester United at St Mary’s on Saturday and perhaps play in his natural position. Four years on from his first start at Old Trafford, he is now a first-class ambassador for the football club and reflects some of the many fundamental principles that Hasenhuttl has installed: accountability, work ethic and tactical discipline.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg won’t be here forever: he is destined to make his mark on the game across the world. But while he’s here, Southampton fans must make it known to him that he is adored.
