Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

His permanent transfer after a season-long loan is much more than just a transaction; it is the cornerstone of our project. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is not a recruit, he is the embodiment of our new ambitions: a seasoned player accustomed to the intensity of the Premier League, a natural leader appointed as captain in just a few months, and a professional with absolute demands. Seeing him at the Vélodrome is to understand what the club seeks to build.  

But to reduce Højbjerg to a mere "destroyer" would be an insult to his intelligence. He is a tactical "gladiator". His game relies on exceptional reading, constant anticipation, and positioning that forces the opponent to play on his terms, not the other way around. He is not a metronome that slows down the game; he is a catalyst. He breaks down the opposition's offense and initiates ours, often with a simple, vertical, precise pass. It is the perfect oil for De Zerbi's "quick transitions" engine. Comparing him to our predecessors, he has the grinta and heart of a Lorik Cana, that fighting spirit that ignites the stadium, but with technical quality and game intelligence reminiscent of the discipline of a certain Didier Deschamps, another number 6 who became an iconic captain.  

Last season, the numbers confirmed what our eyes saw. An overwhelming volume of passes (97.8 per 90 minutes, placing him in the 99th percentile of European midfielders) with elite accuracy (92.4% success rate). He also proved to be an underestimated creator with 4 assists for 3.9 expected assists (xAG). The people of Marseille were not mistaken, immediately adopting him as one of their own, a "monstrous recruitment." His frustration and honesty after the draw against Lille, where he admitted his "stupid mistake," showed a man who takes responsibility, a leader.  

For the 2025/26 season, his challenge is simple and immense: to transpose this dominance onto the European stage. Against the best midfielders on the continent, his ability to be the team's anchor point will be the ultimate test. He must be the rock on which our ambition in the Champions League is built.