The swap deal that worked: Tottenham and Southampton reaping benefits of summer dealings

In one of the early transfer dealings this summer, Tottenham and Southampton announced the signings of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Kyle Walker-Peters.

Despite being billed as two separate deals, it’s a fair deduction to indicate Spurs parted with £3 million plus Walker-Peters to secure Hojbjerg’s signature.

For both clubs, currently first and fifth in the Premier League table, the deal can be reflected on positively.

Ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League fixture against Ludogorets, Hojbjerg is now one of the first names on the teamsheet. The grit and dogged approach of the Danish international has transformed a Tottenham midfield subject to collapse.

Often topping the running charts, Hojbjerg is tasked with recovering the ball and covering the space ahead of Spurs’ defence. There is no longer any insistence to create.

Playing alongside James Ward-Prowse at St Marys, the Dane had responsibilities to progress the ball forwards and be effective at both ends of the pitch. Under Jose Mourinho, who gritted his teeth and pounded the 25-year-old on the chest after his performance against Manchester City last weekend, Hojbjerg appears a different beast.

The task to win possession and then sustain it suits his style and the personnel of the team. His defensive work has contributed to the increased effectiveness of Tanguy Ndombele’s productivity in the final third, most recently displayed by the Frenchman’s assist to Heung-Min Son against City.

Name the Mourinho cliche during his time at Spurs and Hojbjerg personifies it. The Portuguese coach’s desire to win at all costs is evidently matched by the midfielder, who made his debut at Bayern Munich as a 17-year-old.

The opening day performance against Everton provided unease that Southampton fans were correct that Hojbjerg was not cut out for the top level, but performances thereafter have confirmed him as a fan favourite in North London.

Jacob Tanswell – Southampton correspondent:

Similar happenings have been occurring on the south coast with the permanent arrival of Walker-Peters. During Project Restart, the full-back was one of Saints’ standout performers, playing an integral part in tightening up a creaking right-hand channel. The 23-year-old was a breath of fresh air for supporters, having seen the rather lightweight Yan Valery and erratic Cedric Soares struggling to fufill the demands of Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Walker-Peters’ sturdiness on that right flank has also aided the attacking transparency of the team, with Stuart Armstrong being given more license to drift in-field off the right due to new acquisition’s ability to defend one against one and then provide ample width when attacking.

Walker-Peters is a diligent, reliable defender who has showed all the qualities required to be successful in a Hasenhuttl team. He is also malleable enough to take on the onerous tactical and physical instructions of the Austrian.

Hojbjerg’s departure also left a central hole in midfield. With Saints’ high pressing game often heavily influenced by the mobility of the midfield two, Southampton’s summer dealings protracted over a replacement. In the end, they acquired Ibrahima Diallo, who is yet to make a start for the club. This is largely due to the marked upturn in form of Oriol Romeu, who has been a key cog this campaign.

The Spaniard is covering less space than Hojbjerg was expected to, but with Ward-Prowse alongside him, Romeu is able to add extra bite to the midfield and be at the forefront of Saints’ aggressive front-foot brand of football. The 29-year-old is also surging up-field more, having already scored one goal against West Brom and whiskers away from scoring two more in the games after.

Romeu’s sparkling start to the season was rightly rewarded with a fresh two-and-a-half year deal last week.

It’s rare for both parties to be happy in deals such as this. Just ask Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

For now however, Spurs and Saints are reaping the rewards of their new signings.

Hojbjerg could well feature in Tottenham’s fixture tomorrow against Ludogorets, as Jose Mourinho’s men hope to cement their position at the top of Group J.

Tom Hardy will be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs take on Ludogorets

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