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Southampton manager Claude Puel says Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the 'future' of the south coast club

Claude Puel has described Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as representing Southampton's 'future' after revealing club insiders spoke about the midfielder with his mentor Pep Guardiola.

Hojbjerg could start for Southampton against his former manager Guardiola's Manchester City in Saturday's Premier League fixture, facing him for the second time since they both came to England.

Their presence here comes after Guardiola managed him at Bayern Munich, where he felt the Dane could become a midfielder of the highest calibre, and where he dedicated significant time towards nurturing his talent.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjergu00a0has shown in flashes of the ability that caught Pep Guardiola's eye
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has shown in flashes of the ability that caught Pep Guardiola's eye
Claude Puel hopesu00a0Hojbjerg can impress once more when Southampton host Manchester City
Claude Puel hopes Hojbjerg can impress once more when Southampton host Manchester City

The competition provided by Philip Lahm, Thiago Alcantara, Xabi Alonso, Bastian Schweinsteiger and others ultimately prevented him from becoming a regular starter at Bayern.