Adrian Clarke says former teen sensation can assume responsibility for Southampton

This summer’s transfer window still has over a month to run, but already we’ve seen a host of exciting newcomers sign for Premier League clubs.

As part of our build up to the 2016/17 campaign, tactics expert Adrian Clarke runs the rule over what some of the new faces will offer in the coming months.

After looking at West Ham United's Sofiane Feghouli, Clarke's thoughts shift to a maturing teen prodigy due to make waves on the south coast.

While learning his trade under Pep Guardiola's tutelage at Bayern Munich, former teen prodigy Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was described as 'the next Sergio Busquets', but that is not necessarily the type of player Southampton fans should expect to see this season.

Now 20 years of age and with two seasons on loan at Bundesliga outfits Augbsurg and Schalke under his belt, the Denmark international has developed into much more of a box-to-box midfielder.

The most eye-catching feature of Hojbjerg's play is the way he confidently drops a shoulder and beats his man in deep areas, before travelling down the spine of the pitch with the ball at his feet.

Blessed with a sharp turn of foot, he can transform defence into attack with impressive speed and efficiency. This will help Southampton on the counter.

It is unusual for central midfielders to be as willing to dribble with the ball; in this aspect of his play, he reminds me a little of Ross Barkley.

Above all else, he is a strong passer. Happy to shift the ball on, short or long, with a terrific right foot, Hojbjerg’s 87.4% pass accuracy last term made him Schalke’s second-most accurate distributor in the Bundesliga. That same figure would have topped Southampton’s list, with Oriol Romeu's 84.99% the closest of all regular Saints first-team players.

Hojbjerg's 2015/16 stats

Appearances Tackles Interceptions Passes Pass accuracy 13 (10) 45 23 656 87.4%



Hojbjerg can defend, too.The Dane made 23 interceptions in only 13 starts in 2015/16 while on loan at Schalke and is adept at using his acceleration and reading of the game to break up opposition attacks.

He does not possess the power of Victor Wanyama, but there is intelligence to his work off the ball.

Although it is unlikely he will score or assist a plethora of goals, Hojbjerg is a midfielder who should suit Southampton. Well balanced and capable of providing a little bit of everything, he can be a huge success at St Mary's providing he is afforded enough game time by Claude Puel.

With only 28 league starts in the past three seasons, the 20-year-old playmaker is ready to assume greater responsibility on pastures new in 2016/17.