After a sobering 3-1 defeat away to Sheffield United in the Premier League, Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho delivered a reality check for the north Londoners.

Speaking after the game, the Portuguese man said: "The manager can help but the nature of the player as a professional is the most important. Clearly if these boys don't care about results and don't care about the position we finish at the end of the season we'll be in big, big trouble for the future."

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The summer transfer window was already going to be a massive one seen as it's Mourinho's first, but with their struggles in the Premier League, making the right kind of reinforcements will be even more crucial.

And according to The Athletic, Spurs are now confident of signing Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, with fans of the north London side flooding to Twitter to share their reactions about the update.

One Spurs fan pointed to the defeat to Sheffield United as a key reason why they need someone like Hojbjerg, and it's clear to see why - as per Sofascore, the Lilywhites won less ground duels and aerial duels, and made less tackles, interceptions and clearances too.

Another Spurs fan pointed to the midfielder's "attitude and work-rate", with Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl hailing him as a "fantastic player" and a "good example of professionalism" despite stripping him of the captaincy.

Hojbjerg is the kind of combative powerhouse that would represent everything Tanguy Ndombele doesn't.

A player who has built up considerable Premier League experience in his time with Southampton, the Denmark international would be more likely to hit the ground running at Tottenham, and is the kind of proven option they could do with.

With finances likely to be restricted, signings players who you know can do the business at Premier League level will be vital, and Hojbjerg ticks that box.