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Southampton: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg must now step up

By Chris Hughes

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 29: Pierre Emile Hojbjerg of Denmark leaves the field during the International Friendly match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on March 29, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 29: Pierre Emile Hojbjerg of Denmark leaves the field during the International Friendly match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on March 29, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty) /
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could return to the Southampton starting XI this weekend, knowing that it could make or break his season.

The Danish midfielder has found chances hard to come by under Mauricio Pellegrino, with just six minutes of football to his name so far this season.

However, the highly-rated 22-year-old could get a chance to make his mark this weekend, with Southampton potentially being without both Mario Lemina AND Oriol Romeu.

The former has been injured for the best part of a month, missing the Brighton and Burnley matches before the international break and still being unfit for the thrashing at the hands of Liverpool this past weekend.

Meanwhile, Romeu picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the defeat against the Reds, meaning he will definitely miss the game against Everton through suspension.

Steven Davis will almost certainly feature in some respect in the middle of the park, but if Lemina remains unavailable then Hojbjerg will likely deputise in defensive-midfield.

Related Story: Lemina to miss Liverpool game

SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 31: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (L) and Maya Yoshida (R) of Southampton arrive at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on January 31, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 31: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (L) and Maya Yoshida (R) of Southampton arrive at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on January 31, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

A lot was expected of Hojbjerg when he arrived from Bayern Munich last summer, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola rating the Danish midfielder highly during his tenure in Bavaria.

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However a combination of Romeu’s impressive form and Davis’ importance to the squad led the 22-year-old to feature mostly off the bench, with just 21 appearances in the league.

This season the defensive-midfielder has featured even less with the supporters seemingly becoming less and less bothered with his lack of minutes. He needs to prove to both the fans and to Pellegrino why he was rated so highly upon his arrival.

Hojbjerg is still young even in today’s game, meaning he’s far from a lost cause with regards to his potential. Seizing his opportunity against Everton this weekend with a good performance and a Southampton win would surely offer Pellegrino a selection headache.

The Danish international’s career on the south coast is far from over by any stretch but both of the Saints’ last two managers haven’t given him a regular starting place. He needs to take this kind of potential opportunity in order to not hinder his progress. He needs to step up.