Former Tottenham favourite lauds midfielder who has been ‘a f***ing bully’

Dimitar Berbatov has praised Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for his performances in the early stages of the Premier League season.

Hojbjerg joined Spurs from Southampton in the summer after four years at St. Mary’s.

He has already established himself in the side, playing every minute of all nine league games so far.

Jose Mourinho’s side have been in fine form in that time, winning six and losing just one. That puts them top of the table as things stand, above defending champions Liverpool on goal difference.

And Berbatov, who played for Spurs between 2006 and 2008, has moved to praise the 25-year-old for the difference he has made to the North London outfit.

In a column for Betfair, cited on Goal, Berbatov said: “I think one of the major things in the Spurs team, from what I have seen so far, are the people in the middle of the park. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a f*cking bully, a rock in front of the defence.

“He knows what he can and can’t do and he’s playing to his strengths. He doesn’t really get much praise but he’s there and he’s doing all the work.

“Mourinho knew exactly what he wanted when they went into the market for a midfielder. He certainly got all that and more in Hojbjerg.”

Tottenham “serious” title contenders

Berbatov has also been convinced Spurs could win the title this year following their 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend.

Goals from Son Heung-Min and Giovani Lo Celso saw them beat Pep Guardiola’s men at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That result and performance was enough to show their ex-striker that they have what it takes to claim the English top flight for the first time since 1961.

“Spurs proved that they are serious title contenders with their win over Manchester City,” he added. “It was a great win and it was probably exactly how Mourinho wanted the game to go.

“Even though I admire seeing the patient passing style of football with the ball on the ground, sometimes if you play like that and have 60 or 70 per cent of the ball you can still lose, as City did against Spurs.

“City cannot change their style of play and Spurs were so prepared for them, so focused and in the end fully deserved the win.

“It’s a big statement. It showed that they are ready and that they can challenge this year for the title.”

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