Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has definitely proved the doubters wrong since the start of the 2020/21 season.
Joining Tottenham from Southampton following plenty of speculation about a move to N17, a handful of supporters raised their eyebrows at the signing of the Danish international.
Perhaps not the most glamorous addition for many after joining from a team who finished in 11th, Hojbjerg has well and truly silenced those who weren't exactly thrilled by his arrival in a deal worth around £15million.
The 25-year-old has been simply outstanding during his time in north London and he will no doubt be the player fans pick as their best addition from Jose Mourinho's seven summer signings.
The £15m the Lilywhites paid for his services is an absolute snip and Daniel Levy has definitely found himself a transfer bargain.
Excellent at winning the ball and getting Spurs playing forward, the ex-Bayern Munich man has also impressed in terms of his leadership skills as he's demonstrated that he is a future captain of the club.
Asked by football.london about his new midfielder after the 3-0 win over LASK in the Europa League, Mourinho said: “Pierre is a good player and a good leader and he’s a captain without the armband. He’s a guy who doesn’t need the armband like he had in Southampton to influence other people.
"Very brave. So happy with Pierre.”
What has been noticeable so far during his time at the club is the hole he leaves in the team when he doesn't play.
That was evident last Thursday against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League as he was introduced as one of Mourinho's four half-time changes as he looked to gain control in the middle of the park after a dire showing.
So do Spurs already have a player on the books who can act as a Hojbjerg alternative when he isn't in the team?
Well, Harry Winks, who got the nod instead of the Danish international last Thursday against Antwerp, has experience of playing in the deeper role in midfield but it's not exactly his strongest position.
Certainly a good player if Spurs want someone to keep possession of the ball, the academy ace doesn't have the defensive qualities or nous Hojbjerg has to succeed there.
That's where Oliver Skipp comes in.
Rated extremely highly by Mourinho after making a huge impression on him following his appointment as head coach 12 months ago, the England U21 international is seen as one for the future at the club and that point was highlighted back in July when he signed a new long-term deal until 2024.
As game time has been hard to come by for the 20-year-old at Spurs given the options in midfield available to the boss and Mauricio Pochettino prior to him, the Welwyn Garden City-born player is currently spending the season on loan at Norwich City.
Norwich fans, and manager Daniel Farke for that matter, have been raving about the midfielder since his switch to Carrow Road and his fine form was rewarded with the club's Player of the Month award for September.
Skipp has played a big role in helping the side climb up the league table in recent weeks following a slow start to the campaign and Farke previously admitted that his loan signing has the "potential and the quality" to improve the team over the coming months.
Canaries supporters will no doubt want to keep the classy midfielder in East Anglia on a permanent deal beyond the end of his loan spell but a Tottenham return and a place in Mourinho's squad seems inevitable.
The 57-year-old was extremely complimentary about the youngster after he signed fresh terms at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and even stated that Skipp could become a "future captain" at the club.
A player with similar qualities to the ex-Southampton man due to the fact he loves a tackle and doing the dirty work, Mourinho may well develop him as his next Hojbjerg once he is back at Hotspur Way next summer.
Skipp is certainly better defensively than Winks and Mourinho is likely to give him sufficient playing time if he continues to progress at the rate he currently is doing at Norwich City.
Whereas Spurs have missed Hojbjerg's influence on the pitch this season when he hasn't played, it may not be so much of an issue next season once Skipp is back in a Tottenham shirt.
