Why Pierre Hojbjerg Is the Bayern Munich Player with Most to Prove in Pre-Season

"He's our player and he's staying!" Thus said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge of Bayern Munich starlet Pierre Hojbjerg (via the club's official website) last May. The club's CEO had been asked of whether his side would send the Denmark international on loan for the 2014-15 season, and in response was insistent that Hojbjerg had a role to play in his team.

Half a year later, Hojbjerg had played just 285 minutes in the Bundesliga (per Transfermarkt) by the midseason mark and was loaned to Augsburg.

Hojbjerg proved to be a big asset to Markus Weinzierl's side in the second round, playing in all but one game as FCA exceeded all expectations and finished a surprise fifth in the Bundesliga table. His performances for Augsburg as well as the Denmark senior national team were convincing enough for Bayern to bring him back to the Allianz Arena. The club announced earlier this month (via their official website) that the midfielder would return to play for his parent club in the upcoming season.

Being named as part of Pep Guardiola's plans is a big step for Hojbjerg, but the youngster still has it all to prove. He was also deemed ready a year ago, yet didn't provide what the trainer was looking for and was sent away after a very disappointing first round. Now again declared a necessary part of the team, he'll hope for better results this fall and beyond.

There's reason to believe that Hojbjerg will be a success following his loan. He turns 20 in August, and with another year under his belt is more physically, mentally and emotionally developed than before. Ever since his early days in Munich, the Copenhagen native has been ahead of his time. But as he's grown older, the senior side has become less and less of a reach.

The loan at Augsburg was an important step for Hojbjerg, as it gave him the opportunity to play first-team football every week, and put him in a position where he and the team had to adjust to one another. In Munich, he had been a substitute at best and spent most of his minutes on the pitch kicking with the amateurs in the German fourth division. When he did play for the senior side, he had to adapt to any role given, be it right-back, defensive midfield or otherwise. At Augsburg, his attacking qualities were needed and put to good use, unlike in Munich where they were not particularly necessary. Hojbjerg was able to develop his forward game while on loan; his playing time under Weinzierl's tutelage could prove critical towards his long-term development.

It should be said that things weren't always perfect for Hojbjerg during his loan spell. After starting his first six games for Augsburg, of which his side won just two, he made just four starts over the remainder of the campaign. He played a not-to-be-underestimated role in the club's success, but wasn't decidedly a starter at season's end.

With that having been said, Hojbjerg did manage to score and assist two goals apiece in his final seven games at the SGL arena, and has taken considerable momentum into a summer in which he's been called upon again and again to serve his country.

Markus Schreiber/Associated Press

Just over a week ago, an exhausted Hojbjerg broke down in tears as his side sealed a critical victory over Serbia in Euro 2016 qualifying. Now at the Under-21 European Championship, Hojbjerg is trying to carry that momentum further. He was brilliant in the second half of Denmark's 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic, although fans hoping for a showdown between he and future Bayern teammate Joshua Kimmich were disappointed as Hojbjerg was on the bench for 90 minutes against Germany.

Regardless of performance for country, Hojbjerg will more or less be back at square one once he returns to Munich, and he'll have to prove himself to Guardiola among a very talented group of individuals. Odds are better now than they were a year ago, with time helping him develop whilst pushing the likes of Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm further past their respective primes.

Bayern have an aging central-midfield core and will need replacements for Alonso, Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger sooner or later. And with an attacking player seemingly higher on their priorities list, Hojbjerg should have his chances.

However, the Dane faces competition from Gianluca Gaudino and fellow newcomer Joshua Kimmich. And if he fails to impress, it's entirely possible that Hojbjerg is sent out on loan again: It wouldn't be the first time the club committed to him only to change course at a later time. Thus, Hojbjerg should expect to have a real chance at Bayern during the preseason. But he still has have it all to prove.

@Mr_Bundesliga