Player watch: Christian Eriksen

[Bulletspur]

I find the differences in the Sissoko discussions and the Eriksen discussions funny.

One player not up to his world class level but still quite good. So you’ve got 4 months of not living up to his standard. Some people absolutely hate him and want to sell him.

Then there’s Sissoko who everyone wanted to sell last summer because he didn’t look fit to put on the shirt. Then he plays very well for a season. Everyone loves him and wouldn’t even consider him not being a starter.

People like me want to sell him because he chose to leave us, nothing to do with hate. I do not care if you are Messi, if you do not want to play for my beloved club then good bye. The word hate is so easily spouted

 

[Bulletspur]

I actually think we’ll be fine without him, it will just be a different blend. A front 6 of:

Winks Ndombele
Lucas Dele Son
Kane
​

Could be devastating with all players in sync and on form. I say this as someone who clearly rates the hell out of Eriksen.

Fair play @BringBack_leGin

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

I made that post very clear that it was purely opinion. I know in the transfer window people see what they want to see, but come on.

Mate, that’s why I wrote it was your opinion. Give me a break.

 

[Trix]

Mate, that’s why I wrote it was your opinion. Give me a break.

No! you wrote "Trix's info/opinion" as of somehow it could have been either.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

No! you wrote "Trix's info/opinion" as of somehow it could have been either.

Well in that case I apologise.

 

[WiganSpur]

I wonder if there's any overlap between the people angry with Eriksen for refusing to sign a new deal in the past and leaving himself in an excellent position to get the move he's wanted all of his career either this summer or next, and the people gleefully pointing out what an idiot Zaha was for signing a contract that seemingly has him locked down at Palace when he now wants out to another club.

I don't blame Eriksen for what he's doing, he has given us several years of excellent service and was up-front before he joined us about what his long-term career aspirations were. For all those times when we've signed a Wanyama (or even an Eriksen) for a bargain price because their contract was running down, this is just the flip side of that coin. We can't expect to win on every single occasion getting cheap prices for the incomings and a king's ransom for the outgoings.

If Eriksen goes this summer or next, I'll wish him well and thank him for consistently being one of the best things about this Spurs side during the period he's been with us.

I do agree with this to an extent because in previous seasons we've been skimping on signings, failing miserably to land even Championship players and therefore failing to match the ambitions of a player of his calibre. To make matters worse because of the lack of signings Poch had to favour function over flair (e.g Ajax away second half hoofing it to Llorente) and I don't think that's the sort of team he wants to play in.

However, even I will admit that it does seem things are changing for the better now, evidenced by the acquisition of Ndombele and the seemingly likely arrival of Lo Celso. With this in mind, the Zaha argument becomes far less persuasive. Palace have not now qualified for Europe, or signed two £30m players for example.

I fully expected him to express his desire to leave as I too thought this summer would once again be one of bluster with little action. But that doesn't seem like it's going to be the case now and therefore my point is questioning whether RM is even a step up anymore, especially to sit on the bench.

As soon as Ndombele was signed Eriksen should have turned around and signed a new contract as the lack of ambition shown from us was the only thing that i'd completely understand him wanting to leave for. I think the status of the club has undergone a shift in the last few months (the stadium, the CL final, and finally and most importantly signings) and that's why I think him persisting with wanting to leave is a little silly.

 

[Phil-spur99]

Eriksen has been such a hugely influential player since joining. When he plays well we play well. It’s as simple as that. However we have been overly reliant on him to make us tick for too long now and therefor become predictable as a result.

I can’t say I’ve ever gone into a game vs City or Arsenal for example, one of the bigs ones and thought ‘Eriksens going to boss this’, it’s always been more ‘god i hope he turns up’.

I’m excited to see how we set up without him and with a midfield who are set up to carry the ball just as much as pass with Ndombele and hopefully GLC.

Eriksen leaving will no doubt be painful and a loss but long term it will force is to change our approach and the way we play. It’s hard not to look at Coutinho leaving Liverpool as inspiration and see how they became better and more of a team without him.

This post... nailed it!

 

[Legacy]

Trix's info about Eriksen is odd. Madrid only want him as a squad player, therefore he should cost less than a first team player. The value isn't dictated by the buying club's squad position for him. He's been a key player for us for half a decade, one of the best and most productive players in the world in his position and he's going to be expensive to replace in our squad. That's why his price is so high and surely both Madrid and Eriksen are intelligent enough to realise that.

Frankly, if Eriksen believes he's good enough to play for Real Madrid, then he should understand that the club assign his value as someone who's good enough to play for Real Madrid.

 

[Phil-spur99]

I actually think we’ll be fine without him, it will just be a different blend. A front 6 of:

Winks Ndombele
Lucas Dele Son
Kane
​

Could be devastating with all players in sync and on form. I say this as someone who clearly rates the hell out of Eriksen.

Not bad. Might be controversial but the weak link there is Dele. He needs to get back to doing the simple things well rather than being too casual in possession, trying flick and nutmegs and turning over possession too much like he did last season. It’s a big season for him.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I wonder if there's any overlap between the people angry with Eriksen for refusing to sign a new deal in the past and leaving himself in an excellent position to get the move he's wanted all of his career either this summer or next, and the people gleefully pointing out what an idiot Zaha was for signing a contract that seemingly has him locked down at Palace when he now wants out to another club.

I don't blame Eriksen for what he's doing, he has given us several years of excellent service and was up-front before he joined us about what his long-term career aspirations were. For all those times when we've signed a Wanyama (or even an Eriksen) for a bargain price because their contract was running down, this is just the flip side of that coin. We can't expect to win on every single occasion getting cheap prices for the incomings and a king's ransom for the outgoings.

If Eriksen goes this summer or next, I'll wish him well and thank him for consistently being one of the best things about this Spurs side during the period he's been with us.

My thoughts too. People are condemning Zaha for doing exactly what we wish Eriksen would do, it’s bizarre.

Great post from a regular toss weasel

This made me audibly chortle!

I find the differences in the Sissoko discussions and the Eriksen discussions funny.

One player not up to his world class level but still quite good. So you’ve got 4 months of not living up to his standard. Some people absolutely hate him and want to sell him.

Then there’s Sissoko who everyone wanted to sell last summer because he didn’t look fit to put on the shirt. Then he plays very well for a season. Everyone loves him and wouldn’t even consider him not being a starter.

It’s almost as if football fans are a bit fickle and disloyal...

People like me want to sell him because he chose to leave us, nothing to do with hate. I do not care if you are Messi, if you do not want to play for my beloved club then good bye. The word hate is so easily spouted

This view resonates with me and I too of the opinion that if someone doesn’t want to play for us, sell them at a point which makes sense and doesn’t damage us. Eriksen, Bale, Berbatov, etc.

I think a lot here are just frustrated that Eriksen’s wish to leave is clouding a lot of people’s opinion of him as a footballer when he’s a player who has brought us both joy and success in ample quantities.

Fair play @BringBack_leGin

Thank you

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Not bad. Might be controversial but the weak link there is Dele. He needs to get back to doing the simple things well rather than being too casual in possession, trying flick and nutmegs and turning over possession too much like he did last season. It’s a big season for him.

Not controversial, he’s not been at his best. I think with the right competition for spots (so, not just Lamela) he could push on and grab the responsibility to be our playmaker with both hands. Ability is there, depends on the brain.

 

[WiganSpur]

Not bad. Might be controversial but the weak link there is Dele. He needs to get back to doing the simple things well rather than being too casual in possession, trying flick and nutmegs and turning over possession too much like he did last season. It’s a big season for him.

Dele will be fine. He suffered from our lack of signings and was therefore physically shot and played all over the pitch with his confidence suffering as a result.

 

[Sputic]

Not controversial, he’s not been at his best. I think with the right competition for spots (so, not just Lamela) he could push on and grab the responsibility to be our playmaker with both hands. Ability is there, depends on the brain.

It's a bit controversial cos Dele played the second half of the season while carrying an injury(s) and that's probably why he wasn't at his usual high standards. Plus Lucas is in that team, and as great as he was vs Ajax (and a few other games), he wasn't particularly effective for the majority of last season.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Ignoring the fact that there is simply no financial way Real Madrid would/will buy both players, I respectfully disagree (in one way) with your post (even in theory). First, however, let me point out that you are indeed correct in that they (Eriksen and Pogba) could- if paired- play together. I honestly think Eriksen could “play together” with just about anyone. So yeah, true- that would work.

However, again- notwithstanding the fact that at least for now they won’t both be purchased simultaneously- I don’t see Eriksen fitting in there a la Luka Modric, and the reason isn’t down to ability- it’s down to heart.

Modric is a fighter. Yes he’s slight and no he isn’t Roy Keane- but he does get stuck in both with and without the ball. He is tidy- but at the same time he has this warrior spirit that basically all Real Madrid players have to have in order to make it there. Eriksen has the talent to play there- and even play alongside Pogba if that somehow came to pass- but he lacks the heart. He doesn’t have that constant killer instinct; rather, it waxes and wanes, and I don’t see that changing just because he signs for them. Modric (to use but one example) is an assassin- a killer- a brawler- a guy who is fighting every second he is on the field. That’s why we loved him so much- because he was our little general. Christian Eriksen, otoh, is a supremely talented coaster- a guy who has all the ability in the world but lacks the heart to be at the tippy tippy top of the food chain.

Just my onions.

As much as I rate Eriksen, Modric is simply a better player. Better passing, movement, understanding and reading of the game, physically, mentally...I can't think of one aspect of Eriksen's game that is as good as Modric.
Although Eriksen scores more, I tihnk that's because he plays in a more advanced role. Modric plays deeper and regularly initiates attacks from around his own penalty area, rather than waiting for others to feed him the ball higher up. That's probably why he's far less prone to disappearing in games.
I'd say Modric was very clearly the best CM in the world for about 5 years (backed up by 4 Champions League wins and carrying Croatia to a World Cup final).

 

[Bulletspur]

Not bad. Might be controversial but the weak link there is Dele. He needs to get back to doing the simple things well rather than being too casual in possession, trying flick and nutmegs and turning over possession too much like he did last season. It’s a big season for him.

Spot on!

 

[alexis]

Trix's info about Eriksen is odd. Madrid only want him as a squad player, therefore he should cost less than a first team player. The value isn't dictated by the buying club's squad position for him. He's been a key player for us for half a decade, one of the best and most productive players in the world in his position and he's going to be expensive to replace in our squad. That's why his price is so high and surely both Madrid and Eriksen are intelligent enough to realise that.

Frankly, if Eriksen believes he's good enough to play for Real Madrid, then he should understand that the club assign his value as someone who's good enough to play for Real Madrid.

His value is what someone’s willing to pay. X as value is x+ if they are desperate to fill that gap or the player is an upgrade. X- is where we are, he wants Madrid who are saying he’s not essential and seem to be happy to wait a year.
We’ve 12 months left they hold the cards if they really don’t need him. Think both sides are playing poker on this one.

 

[rabbikeane]

Trix's info about Eriksen is odd. Madrid only want him as a squad player, therefore he should cost less than a first team player. The value isn't dictated by the buying club's squad position for him. He's been a key player for us for half a decade, one of the best and most productive players in the world in his position and he's going to be expensive to replace in our squad. That's why his price is so high and surely both Madrid and Eriksen are intelligent enough to realise that.

Frankly, if Eriksen believes he's good enough to play for Real Madrid, then he should understand that the club assign his value as someone who's good enough to play for Real Madrid.

It's not as if a player have a set value that doesn't change with the length of his contract though, our position is weak due to it expiring in one year. We're half a season from Eriksen being able to sign as a free agent and pocket £50m himself in stead of allowing Spurs to get some compensation. He's played with open cards about his career plans long before we signed him, he's been an extremely good player for us signed cheap from Ajax. I would be a bit annoyed as well if my current club wasn't realistic with a transfer fee in similar situation. I'm saying this without knowing exactly what we price him at and what Real Madrid are willing to pay. But say it's 50 or even 60 for his final year on contract. Should we turn it down? Would we give a player 50m a year contract or pay a 50m loan fee for one season?

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I actually think we’ll be fine without him, it will just be a different blend. A front 6 of:

Winks Ndombele
Lucas Dele Son
Kane
​

Could be devastating with all players in sync and on form. I say this as someone who clearly rates the hell out of Eriksen.

That's a strong midfield/attack, but would leave us very short on options. Sissoko, Dier & Wanyama to cover the deep CM positions, but only Lamela and Sissoko to come in for any of the four most advanced positions.
We ideally need another striker and another AM/winger. Neither needs to be a regular starter, but they at least need to be able to come off the bench and make an impact.
I assume we wouldn't have released Llorente without another striker lined up.

 

[yido_number1]

As much as I rate Eriksen, Modric is simply a better player. Better passing, movement, understanding and reading of the game, physically, mentally...I can't think of one aspect of Eriksen's game that is as good as Modric.
Although Eriksen scores more, I tihnk that's because he plays in a more advanced role. Modric plays deeper and regularly initiates attacks from around his own penalty area, rather than waiting for others to feed him the ball higher up. That's probably why he's far less prone to disappearing in games.
I'd say Modric was very clearly the best CM in the world for about 5 years (backed up by 4 Champions League wins and carrying Croatia to a World Cup final).

Totally different players. Eriksen is a goals and assists where as modric was making the team tick.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I'm not sure why some fans seem to get so annoyed with others for not wallowing in pity with them over the loss of Toby and Eriksen. I've been a huge fan of both but the club comes first, and they've made their choice.

We've been in a much weaker position before (club status and squad wise) when we've sold better players (Bale, Modric, Berbatov) and yet we've still improved overall and really grown as a club.

They are real top quality players but they don't want to be here. Now we're able to sign players of the quality of Davinson, Ndombele and Lo Celso to replace them I'm sure we'll be competitive.

I'd probably be the same if Poch or Kane left, but even then we are in such a strong position as a club now we should always be in a position to replace quality with quality.