Roberto De Zerbi planning a potential role in defence for Pierre-Emile Højberg

According to L’Équipe, Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has been experimenting with the positioning of Tottenham loanee Pierre-Emile Højberg (29) in a recent training session. The former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach believes he could potentially operate in a role as a centre-back.

Naturally a deeper/defensive-minded midfielder, the transition may be something that the Danish international midfielder relishes. Defensive midfielders dropping into a central defensive position is not uncommon or rare in modern-day football and Højberg could be the latest player to adopt that transition in role.

Ahead of Marseille’s upcoming match against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Sunday night, L’Équipe reports that the former Bayern Munich midfielder is set to start at the heart of the defence for Les Olympiens. Højberg has never played as a central defender before but is set to be trusted by De Zerbi in the new role after being impressed in a recent training session.

GFFN | Liam Wraith