Frankfurt, Germany – Oscar Højlund is quickly becoming a favorite of new Eintracht Frankfurt manager Albert Riera. The 21-year-ancient Danish midfielder has found a consistent role in the starting lineup under Riera, a stark contrast to his previous time with the club. Højlund’s relentless work ethic and unwavering commitment are qualities that clearly resonate with his new coach, but his path to becoming a key player hasn’t been without its challenges.
Højlund has started three consecutive matches for Eintracht Frankfurt, a personal best during his year and a half with the club. A suspension against Borussia Mönchengladbach prevented a potential fourth straight start. Riera, it seems, values players who approach the game with the same passion and dedication he possesses – players with ambition and a willingness to fight for the team.
However, that remarkably intensity can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Riera is willing to accept the growing pains as Højlund learns to channel his energy more effectively. The Dane has a tendency to be overzealous, as evidenced by a costly penalty conceded against Union Berlin after a strong challenge on Khedira, resulting in a red card after already receiving a yellow. His enthusiasm sometimes overshadows tactical awareness, a point Riera addressed after a match against Freiburg, stating, “Oscar wanted to be everywhere and was nowhere.” The message was clear: effort must be paired with intelligent movement.
Højlund acknowledges the criticism and is receptive to Riera’s guidance. “Yes, I desire to do too much sometimes,” he admitted, adding that he welcomes the public correction. “The coach wants me to hold my position more and give the team more stability.” He credits Riera’s detailed video sessions with helping him understand the nuances of his role and how to contribute more effectively. “The video sessions are sometimes a bit long, but they really help me become a better player.”
A Family Affair: The Roots of Højlund’s Dedication
Højlund’s dedication to the game isn’t a recent development. It’s deeply ingrained in his upbringing. His father, a former footballer himself, instilled strong ethical standards and a relentless work ethic from a young age. “My father and my mother have always supported us very much,” Højlund said, referring to his two brothers, Rasmus (currently on loan at Napoli from Manchester United) and twin brother Emil, who plays for Schalke 04.
The Højlund family’s commitment to football was quite literal. From the age of four, the boys were trained by their father, and to ensure inclement weather didn’t disrupt their practice, their parents built a small football pitch in the basement of their home. “My father designed our house so that we had enough space in the basement to play football. That was great,” Højlund recalled. The entire household revolved around the sport, fostering a competitive and passionate environment.
All three Højlund brothers have found success in professional football. Rasmus’s rising profile with Manchester United and the Danish national team has brought further attention to the family. Their father, Anders, successfully passed on his striking talent to Rasmus and Emil, but Oscar carved a different path. Initially a striker himself until the age of 13, he was moved to midfield due to a lack of goal-scoring prowess, but his energy and stamina made him a natural fit.
Højlund’s journey continued with a debut in the Danish Superliga at 18, and he eventually became captain of both FC Copenhagen and the Danish youth national teams. Whereas not considered a prodigious talent, he was recognized as a leader and a reliable presence in midfield. Eintracht Frankfurt secured his services for a relatively modest fee of €500,000 plus bonuses, a bargain compared to the €9 million the club paid for Hugo Larsson around the same time.
While Højlund may not possess the same creative flair as Larsson, his ball control and passing are solid, and his strong work ethic and willingness to learn provide a foundation for further development. He needs consistent playing time to fully realize his potential.
Riera’s Vision for Højlund
Højlund’s career at Frankfurt has been hampered by injuries, including a fractured metatarsal and a muscle injury. Former manager Dino Toppmöller, while recognizing his potential, didn’t consistently utilize him, favoring other players he believed had a greater immediate impact on the team. Toppmöller primarily envisioned Højlund as a defensive midfielder, tasked with breaking up opposition attacks with his aggressive tackling and tireless running.
Riera, however, has a different plan. While acknowledging Højlund’s defensive qualities, he wants him to disrupt opponents higher up the pitch, tire them out, and play a key role in the counter-press. He also encourages Højlund to develop the core competencies of an offensive midfielder, aiming to contribute more goals and assists. Riera appreciates players with versatility, and Højlund seems eager to embrace the challenge.
“The coach has nothing against that,” Højlund said of Riera’s approach. “The coach loves players who combine different skills.” Interestingly, Højlund no longer relies on his father as a coach. “My father would have liked to still be my coach, but I’ve distanced myself a bit from him in terms of training. I’ve received a lot of advice throughout my life that has been helpful and has moved me forward. But now I’ve reached a level where we couldn’t be friends anymore if he were still my coach.”
As of February 13, 2026, Arthur Theate is sidelined with an injury, and Can Uzun, Younes Ebnoutalib, and Michy Batshuayi are also unavailable. Højlund was previously suspended for a match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, but is now available for selection. The team is focused on controlling possession and playing a dominant style, as emphasized by Riera.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s next challenge is an away match against [insert next opponent and date here – *verification needed*]. Højlund will be eager to continue building on his recent performances and solidify his place in Riera’s starting eleven. His passion, dedication, and willingness to learn develop him a valuable asset to the team, and fans will be watching closely to observe how he develops under his new manager.
What are your thoughts on Oscar Højlund’s potential at Eintracht Frankfurt? Share your opinions in the comments below!
/data/photo/2026/04/08/69d5f95daccec.jpg)
