Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg admits that he has been refreshed by the Antonio Conte era so far at Tottenham Hotspur and explained how the Italian has made it clear that improvement must happen.
The Denmark international has already played under four different managers since arriving at Spurs last year but there is a clear excitement about the latest man to take the hotseat.
Before heading off on international duty, Hojbjerg was asked during an interview for the club’s email newsletter what the message had been from Conte to the players in his early days.
“That work has to be done,” replied the 26-year-old. “Improvement has to happen, but still, he’s trying also to give his point of view in terms of how he wants us to play and how he is trying to manage us tactically.
“These are, again, very concrete, very well organised, very well analysed. So, for a player to get this kind of information and this kind of coaching is very motivating.
“You know, if you have the right attitude and will to work, you will only improve under a great manager like this.”
Conte has transformed the mood at Tottenham following a mixed start under Nuno Espirito Santo and Hojbjerg explained that the Italian’s demeanour is infectious.
“You feel the intensity, you feel the hunger, you feel the will to sacrifice everything to try and win,” he said.
“That’s something – and, again, I speak for myself as a player – it’s very refreshing, it’s very motivating.
“Like I said, if you have the right attitude, the right will to improve, you will improve a lot and make some great steps.
“In the end, there’s a clear objective for the team, and this is just fantastic to be able to be a part of. I can only try and listen to what he has to say.
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“It’s a pleasure and a great honour to be able to learn under him and his coaching staff.
“It is intense, it is demanding and this is what I like.”
Conte has plenty of work to do at Tottenham but has been working hard during this fortnight with those players left at Hotspur Way while giving extra individual training schedules for the international stars to undertake while they are away with their countries.
Spurs return to action for Conte’s second Premier League game in charge and his first in the competition at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Leeds visit next Sunday afternoon.