Christian Eriksen

[Aphex]

Agree with Trix. People going way overboard about Eriksen on here.

He was a very good player for us, but he isn't a master at unlocking defences with defence splitting passes, it's just not true. We've all watched him for many years, and we struggled massively for creativity when he was in the side too.

I was someone who wanted Eriksen to leave as he was poor for 6 - 12 months before he left. He had a couple of good games but he was really out of sorts generally.

 

[Timberwolf]

At our best under Poch we actually were pretty good at breaking down defences that sat deep - that's how we almost won the title in 16/17 when Eriksen got 16 assists. There were plenty of games that were attack vs defence, only for Eriksen to pull out a 20 yarder from the bag or pop in a lovely cross to win it for us.

If anything the problem was that we were over-reliant on him and didn't have enough creativity from elsewhere.

Not hugely fussed about missing out on him if his agent is messing us around, though.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Why? You are just emotional because of what he did in his previous spell. Spurs fans in general live far too much in the past. Remember him fondly for that, but it's a new era now and it's the future that now matters.

This is true to an extent and if he stays at Brentford no problem but if he goes to Man.U under Ten Haag the issue is that will raise their performances and creativity considerably.

Appreciate we can’t sign every player to block them from going to other top teams and the focus should as you say be on the exciting here and now with Conte so as long as we get our targets over the line and Conte is happy with what we’ve given him in order to challenge for trophies and titles then it’s down to us from there on.

Missing out on Eriksen would be a shame though as he’s still a top top class player and he’s exactly the type of player we need to unlock those deep lying teams (assuming we’d switch to a 3-5-2 when needed) however if we up the quality of our wing backs considerably, have even better ball playing CB’s have even more dominant and better ball playing CM’s and better attacking option depth to the front 4 then we should be just fine.

 

[whitesocks]

Just for reference my view has nothing at all to do with @wishkah post. If you go back I think you'll find me saying they were asking for an absolute fortune in one of my posts.

He might not be the right player for us now, but I'm very glad our interest in him may have inspired another club to break the bank for him.
He deserves a big payday as he has been one of the more interesting prem players over the years and also, while a line has been drawn under his incident, another would force an early retirement.
He was significantly underpaid (his fault) at his time at spurs, had to contribute to the xfer fee to leave (allegedly), then his contract at inter was cut short.
So good luck to him.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Agree with Trix. People going way overboard about Eriksen on here.

He was a very good player for us, but he isn't a master at unlocking defences with defence splitting passes, it's just not true. We've all watched him for many years, and we struggled massively for creativity when he was in the side too.

I was someone who wanted Eriksen to leave as he was poor for 6 - 12 months before he left. He had a couple of good games but he was really out of sorts generally.

Disagree that we struggled massively for creativity when he was in the side, as @Timberwolf has said below we actually overly relied on him and pretty much all our play went through him in some form or another.

Against Conte’s Chelsea it was Eriksen’s two crosses to Dele that won us that game, against city at home in the CL QF 1st leg it was Eriskens chipped ball through to Son that unlocked them on that occasion in what was otherwise a fairly tight game, Eriksen scored 20-30 yarders last minute to help us to get 1-0 wins over C.Palace, he scored free kicks in carabao cup semi to help us get to the final, I could go on and on about his contributions.

Yes towards the end with us his performances tailed off but so did the whole teams (no coincidence) and his head wasn’t it anymore whether rightly or wrongly.

If he doesn’t quite fit what we need in conte’s 3-4-3 and we have other priorities then fine but let’s not try to make ourselves feel better about missing out on him by dismissing or downplaying his contributions for us which were frankly phenomenal for many seasons.

 

[GutBucket]

He is 99th percentile in most creative stats, only De Bruyne having same or better(in Premiership, at least that I can find), whoever else we get won't be more creative than him and won't help more than him against teams that park the bus.

Players with similar advanced stats are Milenkovic-Savic, Barrella, Messi, Modric... Good luck buying better or even similar.

That said, Conte knows him and if he doesn't push hard for him then there's a reason, so no worries either way. No reason to get too upset about where he ends up.

 

[glospur]

He is 99th percentile in most creative stats, only De Bruyne having same or better(in Premiership, at least that I can find), whoever else we get won't be more creative than him and won't help more than him against teams that park the bus.

Players with similar advanced stats are Milenkovic-Savic, Barrella, Messi, Modric... Good luck buying better or even similar.

That said, Conte knows him and if he doesn't push hard for him then there's a reason, so no worries either way. No reason to get too upset about where he ends up.

yeah, the idea that he isn't creative or effective against deep defences is genuinely fucking laughable in a like, do you even watch football at all kind of way

i have no issue if we don't pursue him, although he'd obviously make us better, because I'm at the stage where it's like if Conte's happy then I'm happy, but there's some absolute bullshit going on in this thread from people who are pretty much acting like scorned lovers because he might not want to come here

 

[alfiemacdaddy]

So basically he's not coming back!

 

[DodgyLasagne]

yeah, the idea that he isn't creative or effective against deep defences is genuinely fucking laughable in a like, do you even watch football at all kind of way

i have no issue if we don't pursue him, although he'd obviously make us better, because I'm at the stage where it's like if Conte's happy then I'm happy, but there's some absolute bullshit going on in this thread from people who are pretty much acting like scorned lovers because he might not want to come here

I could understand it somewhat if we were on a United or Liverpool forum (those absolute melters were arguing Mata/Coutinho over Eriksen in his prime years) -- even then, it would be pathetic to say that he struggles to unlock defenses.

but we are on goddamn SpursCommunity.

How people don't realize the absolute genius on the pitch Eriksen brings is beyond me. The only explanation is that they had shit in their eyes for upwards of 6 years watching him in lilywhite, and only ever saw him play under Mourinho.

 

[wishkah]

Just for reference my view has nothing at all to do with @wishkah post. If you go back I think you'll find me saying they were asking for an absolute fortune in one of my posts.

Fair enough and good to clarify. I celebrate that we clearly have different sources.

 

[Metalhead]

I could understand it somewhat if we were on a United or Liverpool forum (those absolute melters were arguing Mata/Coutinho over Eriksen in his prime years) -- even then, it would be pathetic to say that he struggles to unlock defenses.

but we are on goddamn SpursCommunity.

How people don't realize the absolute genius on the pitch Eriksen brings is beyond me. The only explanation is that they had shit in their eyes for upwards of 6 years watching him in lilywhite, and only ever saw him play under Mourinho.

He more than proved his worth to the club. Obviously if Conte doesn't want him then that's good enough for most fans I would imagine but certainly no need for anyone to denigrate what he brought to the team for most of his tenure.

 

[Tiberius Gracchus]

Not going to get sentimental about it, would be useful in the squad but not that bothered

If we want to bring back players who were once great for us before dropping off massively, we may as well get dele back

 

[Timberwolf]

I could understand it somewhat if we were on a United or Liverpool forum (those absolute melters were arguing Mata/Coutinho over Eriksen in his prime years) -- even then, it would be pathetic to say that he struggles to unlock defenses.

but we are on goddamn SpursCommunity.

How people don't realize the absolute genius on the pitch Eriksen brings is beyond me. The only explanation is that they had shit in their eyes for upwards of 6 years watching him in lilywhite, and only ever saw him play under Mourinho.

Whenever I see old clips of Eriksen at Spurs I'm always bowled completely over at how bloody good he was. Absolutely sublime player until that final season (which has maybe tainted people's memories somewhat?).

 

[Harrier]

I do wonder if we’re sitting back to see how this pans out if Eriksen is a nice to have, but not critical acquisition for Conte.

I can’t imagine Brentford can match Manure financially, so if Eriksen looks like he’s staying with them it will be because of remaining in London and minutes played.

If staying in London is the main driving force, we may then decide to throw our hat back in the ring at a more sensible price.

All complete supposition on my part, but it may negate the agent’s high demands once Eriksen’s priorities become clear.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

yeah, the idea that he isn't creative or effective against deep defences is genuinely fucking laughable in a like, do you even watch football at all kind of way

i have no issue if we don't pursue him, although he'd obviously make us better, because I'm at the stage where it's like if Conte's happy then I'm happy, but there's some absolute bullshit going on in this thread from people who are pretty much acting like scorned lovers because he might not want to come here

? bang on mate

 

[NYSpur]

Just for reference my view has nothing at all to do with @wishkah post. If you go back I think you'll find me saying they were asking for an absolute fortune in one of my posts.

As always, your posts are very logical. Eriksen on a free and a competitive salary as a bench/part time starter option was a no-brainer. Eriksen for a significant fee and salary in that role for us just isn't with the other attacking options that we have on the table. I also agree that it is revisionist history to only remember the good that Eriksen provided while he was here. His last year and change was abysmal. He had 2 goals and 2 assists his final year with us and it is hard to forget the moaning over his free kicks and corners during that last part of his spell.

His stats since his last year at Spurs are not overwhelming by any means. He hasn't been THAT player over a sustained period since 2018-19, which is a lifetime ago now. Even the Brentford version which seemed very good in the highlights and what we saw, was not nearly as productive as he was in his prime...
2019-20 Spurs 2G 2A
2019-20 Inter 1G 2A
2020-21 Inter 3G 0A
2021-22 Brent 1G 4A

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

As always, your posts are very logical. Eriksen on a free and a competitive salary as a bench/part time starter option was a no-brainer. Eriksen for a significant fee and salary in that role for us just isn't with the other attacking options that we have on the table. I also agree that it is revisionist history to only remember the good that Eriksen provided while he was here. His last year and change was abysmal. He had 2 goals and 2 assists his final year with us and it is hard to forget the moaning over his free kicks and corners during that last part of his spell.

His stats since his last year at Spurs are not overwhelming by any means. He hasn't been THAT player over a sustained period since 2018-19, which is a lifetime ago now. Even the Brentford version which seemed very good in the highlights and what we saw, was not nearly as productive as he was in his prime...
2019-20 Spurs 2G 2A
2019-20 Inter 1G 2A
2020-21 Inter 3G 0A
2021-22 Brent 1G 4A

Good points although not just about goals and assists with Eriksen, he often assists the assister and just generally helps teams play to tick and be fluid, class is permanent, he was also used off the bench for inter and final season with us a ton so also unfair to compare his stats to when he was playing 90 mins week in week out.

Whichever way you look at it, he was class, he’s shown for Brentford he still is class and if he comes back he’d be a brilliant addition, if he doesn’t then let’s hope he stays at Brentford rather than going to Man.U or another rival of ours as wherever he goes he will strengthen that team, but either way ultimately as long as we execute on our transfer plan to give conte what he wants then we will be very strong and just fine.

 

[NYSpur]

Good points although not just about goals and assists with Eriksen, he often assists the assister and just generally helps teams play to tick and be fluid, class is permanent, he was also used off the bench for inter and final season with us a ton so also unfair to compare his stats to when he was playing 90 mins week in week out.

Whichever way you look at it, he was class, he’s shown for Brentford he still is class and if he comes back he’d be a brilliant addition, if he doesn’t then let’s hope he stays at Brentford rather than going to Man.U or another rival of ours as wherever he goes he will strengthen that team, but either way ultimately as long as we execute on our transfer plan to give conte what he wants then we will be very strong and just fine.

Yes, in no way trying to disparage Eriksen or his ability to contribute to the build-up. I do think the overall end-product is indicative of a decline in his game, which is to be expected at some point. He is still a very good player. He was world class at one point though. I am just saying cost benefit on a free and reasonable salary is a no-brainer. It just isn't if his agent is asking for a lot more than that.

Agree I would prefer him at Brentford to Man U, but that is more of a defense mechanism than me being logically overly concerned that he will be a difference maker at United.

 

[Styopa]

Absolutely sublime player until that final season (which has maybe tainted people's memories somewhat?).

Yeah I think this may be the case. In the end he became associated with, and in fairness was partly responsible for, what became a sinking ship- a sinking ship which some fans probably think he was too keen to abandon. I think he (and others, like Dele and maybe Alderweireld too) became totemic of a lot that was wrong with us at that time- talented but disinterested, stale and lacking any spark. But I don't see that as representative of either his time at Spurs or his career since.

 

[Joshua shepherd]

As always, your posts are very logical. Eriksen on a free and a competitive salary as a bench/part time starter option was a no-brainer. Eriksen for a significant fee and salary in that role for us just isn't with the other attacking options that we have on the table. I also agree that it is revisionist history to only remember the good that Eriksen provided while he was here. His last year and change was abysmal. He had 2 goals and 2 assists his final year with us and it is hard to forget the moaning over his free kicks and corners during that last part of his spell.

His stats since his last year at Spurs are not overwhelming by any means. He hasn't been THAT player over a sustained period since 2018-19, which is a lifetime ago now. Even the Brentford version which seemed very good in the highlights and what we saw, was not nearly as productive as he was in his prime...
2019-20 Spurs 2G 2A
2019-20 Inter 1G 2A
2020-21 Inter 3G 0A
2021-22 Brent 1G 4A

2019/20 - Spurs - averaged a goal or assist ever 273 minutes. I.e 1 in 3 (still not bad, lots of sub appearances and had decided he was on the move).

2019/20 - Inter - averaged a goal or assist every 233 minutes. I.e 1 in 2.5 (pretty good considering he was coming to a new league).

2020/21 - Inter - averaged a goal or assist every 464 minutes. I.e 1 in 5 (not great but played much deeper in this system).

2021/22 - Brentford - averaged a goal or assist every 187 minutes. I.e 1 in 2 (pretty damn good).