Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg remains an important player for Tottenham Hotspur, insists Antonio Conte, amid rumours of a transfer away.
Hojbjerg was one of the midfielders who stayed at Spurs after the January transfer window. Several other options in that position – namely Dele Alli, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele – left the club.
Rodrigo Bentancur arrived from Juventus to replenish the ranks. Despite Conte being deprived numerically, there has been a growing optimism elsewhere that Hojbjerg could be sacrificed.
The Denmark midfielder is of interest to Jose Mourinho, who signed him for Tottenham and now wants to for Roma in the summer. There have been claims in Italy and England that Spurs could cash in.
Hojbjerg remains a regular under Conte, but was the subject of an intriguing video after Tottenham’s win over Manchester City on Saturday. When the head coach came to celebrate with his players, the former Southampton star appeared to avoid him.
Conte has now clarified, though, that there is no issue between the pair and he is still counting on the 26-year-old as an important part of his evolving midfield.
At a press conference, Conte said: “I have seen the video because Anthony [Spurs’ press officer] showed me. For sure I was celebrating with all my players. He didn’t see me.
“Then we have recovered in the dressing room because we celebrated with him and all the players.
“Pierre is another important player for us. He’s young but he’s experienced and now with Bentancur we have implemented the midfielders, Winksy [Harry Winks], [Oliver] Skipp, players I can count on.
“We have to continue to work. We need a bit of time and patience. I have seen that we are improving in many aspects. Then to be available.
“The squad is more complete than before with [Dejan] Kulusevski and Bentancur. I can now give rotation and rest.
“For example the midfielders against Man City they put in a fantastic performance and the effort was top. We have to see whether they recover very well or I will have to make rotation because we have many games in the days.”
Conte has faced questions of his own future recently, despite not even being half a year into his Tottenham tenure.
The Italian is only under contract until the end of next season and has had to deny concerns about the club’s transfer approach.
Now, the ex-Inter Milan boss has gone further to emphasise how he is feeling about working for Tottenham currently – reserving high praise for the squad he is coaching.
He said: “When I say I’m enjoying to work in Tottenham I mean this. I’m finding a lot of availability in these players to work, to improve and to take on football knowledge.
“It’s not sure that in every team this type of situation happens.
“Players sometimes don’t want to follow you. Sometimes it happens.
“This group is showing a lot of availability. I enjoy more to work with them. Surely there is a lot of space for agreement.
“I come to the training ground with a smile because I know I spend two or three hours working with people who want to work seriously and want to improve themselves.”
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