Why Southampton must offer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg a new contract soon

According to Daily Echo, a new contract for midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is put on hold by Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, who reiterated his decision to wait until the team reaches 36 points.

Hojbjerg will have just one year left on his contract at the end of the season and the manager has revealed that the situation is relaxed and the talks will take a serious turn once Southampton have ensured safety in the Premier League, as per the report.

The report also claims that there was late interest in the midfielder from Tottenham at the end of last month but the Saints made it clear that the Dane would not be going anywhere.

Hojbjerg, 24, who came through the youth ranks of FC Kopenhagen and Brondby joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2012. After loan spells with Augsburg and Schalke, he was brought by Southampton in 2016.

Though he initially struggled at the St. Mary’s Stadium, the Denmark international has become an integral part of the club. He has also captained the team this season and has been one of the most influential players in their midfield alongside James Ward-Prowse.

Meanwhile, Hasenhuttl has managed to lift the team from further humiliation, which they went through at the start of the season. They were lingering below in the relegation zone and a sudden change in form has seen the club move up the table.

The Saints are riding high on the success of in-form striker Danny Ings, who has scored 14 goals in the league so far. Apart from him, the midfield has been brilliant in the team’s change in fortunes and Hojbjerg has led them brilliantly on the field.

The 24-year-old has taken his game to the next level and his form has risen up for the good. And the manager has praised the captain’s work ethic and desire to improve each day, claiming that has been the reason for an improved form in central midfield as per the report.

The Danish midfielder has featured in all but one game in this campaign. Southampton need a leader like him in the middle of the park and especially now that Ward-Prowse is injured, he will have to play a crucial role for them to end the season on a high.

There are only three central midfielders in the squad in Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Stuart Armstrong and the Saints would not be hoping to see their captain leave in the summer. This would leave the squad with a limitation and therefore, Hojbjerg must be handed a fresh contract at the earliest.

Verdict

He has got immense experience under his belt after three years with the club and could be the key to Southampton’s growth in the next few years. And the club cannot afford to lose him when he is at his best.

Therefore, the Saints must do everything possible to hand a new contract to their star player before he makes any other decision.