Hojbjerg frustrated at Saints but determined to turn form around

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg admits he needs to stand up and show Southampton boss Claude Puel he can be a crucial part of the Saints side, after a frustrating first season in English football.

The highly-rated Danish international joined from German heavyweights Bayern Munich last summer – bringing both hope and expectation that he would become a fine player.

But Hojbjerg has struggled for game time, failing to impress when called upon and often left sitting on the bench.

The international break has given the 21-year-old a chance to regain his confidence and now he heads back to Southampton desperate to prove a point.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

“I would lie if I said I felt fantastic but football is sometimes like this,” he said.

“But I also know that we have 22 players in the squad, I also know that the coach [Puel] has to make decisions and me as a player, a part of the team, I have to respect the coach makes the decisions.

“I respect his decisions and know that it is 11 players who can play. I just try to show in training and the small opportunities that I get that I am a man that he can count on.

“I will keep showing him that and try to get better. I always say to myself that in every situation, it doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad, try to get the maximum out of it.”