Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterChelsea's decision to sign 36-year-old Jordan Henderson earlier this summer had armchair analysts questioning what on earth the Blues were doing. But, the logic was sound.Prior to Hendersons arrival at Stamford Bridge, 28-year-old goalkeeper Robert Sanchez held the distinction of being the oldest member of a particularly youthful squad.Over the past few seasons, many have believed Chelsea to be lacking supervision, dressing-room authority, and leadership, not least incoming boss Xabi Alonso.Newcastle could be signing their own version of Jordan HendersonNow, Newcastle United find themselves at a similar crossroads following the departure of key dressing room figures.New manager Matthias Jaissle's preparations for his maiden Premier League campaign are well underway, but his squad is not yet complete. You may like Newcastle United close in on first outfield signing of the Matthias Jaissle era Major development in Chelsea transfer saga: report Four Chelsea players at risk of losing place in Xabi Alonsos squad after double veteran signing According to reports in France, Newcastle are stepping up interest in Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - a transfer which if completed, like Henderson to Chelsea, has perhaps caught people by surprise.The 31-year-old Dane represents a vastly different age profile to Newcastle's other summer business, which has prioritised youth with arrivals like 18-year-old Sean Steur and 20-year-old Aladji Bamba.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.But in a squad suddenly lacking experience, the merits of a Hojbjerg-type arrival are obvious.Newcastle need to add dressing room leadership and fast. Their coach is among the youngest managers in the league, the club have reluctantly sold the club captain and their vice-skipper came to the end of his Premier League shelf-life.Bruno Guimaraes completed a �75m switch to Arsenal last week, Kieran Trippier departed at the beginning of the summer, and Italian international Sandro Tonali exited for Tottenham. In one fell swoop, Newcastle have lost the heart of their side. What to read next Newcastle United report: Fikayo Tomori set for cut-price move, following Ruben Amorim decision Release clause activated as Newcastle United line up first transfer after Eddie Howe resignation: report Jordan Henderson has something to offer for England whether they can take advantage of it could shape their World Cup Jaissles squad possesses talent, but it is currently lacking natural leaders, and at a time when the club is going through a transition, Newcastle need all the guidance they can get.This is why Hojbjerg, on paper at least, makes sense as a summer move. Boasting 254 Premier League appearances from spells at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, the Denmark skipper is widely-regarded as a consummate professional.Make no mistake, Hojbjerg will not arrive as a direct replacement for Guimaraes or Tonali in terms of what he is capable of doing on the pitch. Instead, he is a candidate for setting the standard at St. James' Park, much like Granit Xhakas impact down the road at Sunderland, or Hendersons veteran presence at Chelsea.Given the leadership vacuum left by Guimaraes and Trippier, it wouldn't be the greatest surprise if Hojbjerg arrived and immediately assumed the captain's armband. Although, there's every chance local lad and England international Dan Burn will be handed that particular responsibility.Chelsea, or more likely Alonso, recognised that Hendersons experience was required to anchor their young squad. In the same way, Newcastle seemingly recognise that Hojbjerg is a steady hand who can help a new coach navigate a transition season.TOPICSPierre-Emile HojbjergNewcastle UnitedMarseillePremier LeagueJoe DonnohueSocial Links NavigationSenior Digital WriterJoe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.
