Player watch: Christian Eriksen

[Goobers]

I don’t buy the “big game thing” - he has played a vital role in big games for us and ended up on top ( and a few when he was the best player on the park and we lost). The obvious ones for me and the victory at the Etihad 2-3 years ago, both games last year against Real and the game at Stamford bridge last season. His work rate is also great.
The biggest issue I have and have had with him for ages is that, a little like Sonny, he is a bit streaky. He has runs of incredible form and then indifference. That was always levelled at him as a younger player at Ajax. I think that is probably why we got him and not one of the big boys.
I still maintain he is a great player and one I think we are highly unlikely to be able to replace.

 

[Mr Pink]

To be honest I'm surprised more of the elite Clubs aren't after him, especially when you consider his contract situation.

There's clearly a reluctance for some reason.

 

[SpartanSpur]

To be honest I'm surprised more of the elite Clubs aren't after him, especially when you consider his contract situation.

There's clearly a reluctance for some reason.

I still think the market is in recovery after the Neymar/Mbappe/Coutinho window.

Eriksen probably doesn't seem cheap even with a year left. PSG having FFP struggles. City/Pool not fussed. Juve and Madrid chasing Pogba. Bayern already have Thiago and are chasing Sane. Utd probably in too much of a mess for the player to consider.

I'm guessing Eriksen was pretty aware of this hence the good words about Tottenham (and potentially staying) in his statement. I think Madrid made him promises they haven't kept and the statement was trying to bring them back to the table.

 

[Haddock]

To be honest I'm surprised more of the elite Clubs aren't after him, especially when you consider his contract situation.

There's clearly a reluctance for some reason.

Educated guess: Eriksen only wants Madrid or Barca but none of them need or want him at the moment.

Eriksen already turned his head up towards United (...not that I'd call them tier 1) but he could have done so towards say Bayern as well. All it takes is a 30 second call to his agent after all.

 

[Legacy]

I don’t buy the “big game thing” - he has played a vital role in big games for us and ended up on top ( and a few when he was the best player on the park and we lost). The obvious ones for me and the victory at the Etihad 2-3 years ago, both games last year against Real and the game at Stamford bridge last season. His work rate is also great.
The biggest issue I have and have had with him for ages is that, a little like Sonny, he is a bit streaky. He has runs of incredible form and then indifference. That was always levelled at him as a younger player at Ajax. I think that is probably why we got him and not one of the big boys.
I still maintain he is a great player and one I think we are highly unlikely to be able to replace.

Pogba has had one run of incredible form in 2 years at United and he's still getting offers from the biggest clubs. Hazard has a run of incredible form every other year where people start talking him up as a Ballon d'Or winner before he quietly drifts away. He got signed for £130m.

 

[mattyspurs]

In my opinion, the thing that goes against Eriksen is his lack of 'Marketability' compared to the others that are being mentioned. I know that shouldn't be the case, but I think that plays a big part.

Pogba, big star
Hazard, big star
Neymar, big star

Eriksen, shy and retiring, keeps himself to himself.

It sort of keeps him under the radar in my opinion

 

[JKendall13]

The reason why more teams aren't after Eriksen is because he is a player whose importance is declining in modern football. While he can play in other places because he is very skilled, his natural position is a #10. With the emphasis on pressing and quick transitions, the traditional skilled #10 is being run out of the game.

Ozil, Mata, Isco, Dybala, Gotze, and James Rodriguez have all went from massive stars to players that big teams just can't quite find an ideal position for in the modern game. Too talented to not play, but not impactful enough to live up to their reputation and fit in the modern game tactically.

Eriksen fits in that category for me, but because we haven't had the money or recruiting pull to replace such a skilled player with a more tactically suitable alternative he still is able to maintain his position despite inconsistent bouts of form.

Once again, he's still a massive talent but his skillset isn't the ideal for the current way football is played which is why I think you don't see big teams coming for him.

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

The reason why more teams aren't after Eriksen is because he is a player whose importance is declining in modern football. While he can play in other places because he is very skilled, his natural position is a #10. With the emphasis on pressing and quick transitions, the traditional skilled #10 is being run out of the game.

Ozil, Mata, Isco, Dybala, Gotze, and James Rodriguez have all went from massive stars to players that big teams just can't quite find an ideal position for in the modern game. Too talented to not play, but not impactful enough to live up to their reputation and fit in the modern game tactically.

Eriksen fits in that category for me, but because we haven't had the money or recruiting pull to replace such a skilled player with a more tactically suitable alternative he still is able to maintain his position despite inconsistent bouts of form.

Once again, he's still a massive talent but his skillset isn't the ideal for the current way football is played which is why I think you don't see big teams coming for him.

I wouldn't go as far as that mate. A player of Eriksen's quality will always find a place in football, mostly towards the high end of the game.

I think the limited interest or perceived interest in him is more down to the rebuild going on at the elite clubs and where they are prioritising their business.

Real Madrid opted to make players like Hazard, Jovic, Mendy etc a more urgent need, Juventus didn't have a manager until 3-4 days ago and seem to be pushing for De Ligt for big money, Bayern Munich have spent more on players than they ever have in the form of Pavard, Hernandez.

Most of the big clubs are spending huge money and whilst I'm sure Eriksen would be a nice to have for most based on his ability, the huge levels of cash being spent maybe see his nice to have as less feesable as the teams who could be of interest to him are in some occasions already in the £300m spent ball park already.

Money isn't endless and if so many weren't doing massive rebuilding jobs this summer I think he'd be more on their radar. His importance to the teams in question isn't as vital when they have to spend in other areas of the pitch. He's one notch down from the Hazards, Griezmanns, Neymar and Pogbas of this world who are unfortunately for Eriksen all looking very likely to change clubs this summer or at least are being hot tips to.

 

[SpartanSpur]

The reason why more teams aren't after Eriksen is because he is a player whose importance is declining in modern football. While he can play in other places because he is very skilled, his natural position is a #10. With the emphasis on pressing and quick transitions, the traditional skilled #10 is being run out of the game.

Ozil, Mata, Isco, Dybala, Gotze, and James Rodriguez have all went from massive stars to players that big teams just can't quite find an ideal position for in the modern game. Too talented to not play, but not impactful enough to live up to their reputation and fit in the modern game tactically.

Eriksen fits in that category for me, but because we haven't had the money or recruiting pull to replace such a skilled player with a more tactically suitable alternative he still is able to maintain his position despite inconsistent bouts of form.

Once again, he's still a massive talent but his skillset isn't the ideal for the current way football is played which is why I think you don't see big teams coming for him.

Was discussing this with a non-Spurs supporting mate recently. The #10 role is dying, I totally agree. A team isn't going to be going balls out for a traditional #10 these days as they don't play a key role in current formations.

That said I still think there's a role for Eriksen in our squad/XI. I think amongst other things (the more documented stuff) last season we really lacked rhythm and consistency in attack, which really hurts a link man like Eriksen.

 

[bigfrooj]

Any clubs that really know their footballers would be all over Eriksen at this stage of his contract. Our overuse and over-reliance on him last season has an advantage we didn’t see. Give him a new contract and then build the team around him - and make sure he has the support around him to get the very best out of him.

 

[JKendall13]

Was discussing this with a non-Spurs supporting mate recently. The #10 role is dying, I totally agree. A team isn't going to be going balls out for a traditional #10 these days as they don't play a key role in current formations.

That said I still think there's a role for Eriksen in our squad/XI. I think amongst other things (the more documented stuff) last season we really lacked rhythm and consistency in attack, which really hurts a link man like Eriksen.

Totally agree, once again he's still a massive talent and can be super useful in the right situations. But I think part of the problem is we are over reliant on him now and if that continues I don't think we'll improve.

Coutinho is another great example of this, wonderfully skilled, scores ridiculous goals but fails to influence games against the best teams. Liverpool didn't replace him like for like but instead with players more suited to the modern game like a ball playing center-half (Van Dijk) and more industrious but less technical CMs (Fabinho and Keita). They haven't missed him at all and Barcelona doesn't know what to do with him.

If Barcelona was still playing tiki-taka, Coutinho would be a natural fit but no one wins like that anymore. Even Pep at City and Barcelona have gone completely away from it. You don't spend 105m on Ousmane Dembele to play tiki-taka. The dominant tactics now are to win the ball back and then move it as quickly as possible to pacy goalscoring forwards (Son, Mane, Salah, Lucas, Sane, etc.) while they have a numerical advantage against the backline. Essentially, it's been deemed tactically beneficial to deliberately bypass the space the #10 used to inhabit.

 

[Deleted member 29446]

If Eriksen had more skilled players around him, oh god he would shine so much. It’s the same problem for the national team - like Messi..

 

[Ronwol196061]

Not sure if it's the way Poch wants to play but Eriksen plays Ticky Tack footie
We've seen a shift to a la pool to quick forward passes and Pochs team should be playing more of that.
Maybe Bayern would want Eriksen

 

[worcestersauce]

To be honest I'm surprised more of the elite Clubs aren't after him, especially when you consider his contract situation.

There's clearly a reluctance for some reason.

There always was that before we bought him, he was a sensational young player who could take control of a game and win it and it didn't matter who it was against, little clubs or big games but even back then the sense was that he went missing in some games to the point that maybe the top clubs went for more consistency elsewhere but personally I'm happy with him and he does the business enough for me
I'm sure many people don't remember this but it is the case, in fact a couple of times I watched a game hoping to see him play he didn't live up to the hype, mind you he was only 20 at the time but maybe there is still this sense of him within the game.
If he does go it will be to Real Madrid but they may have backed off so it sounds like he may well be staying and I'm very happy with that.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Not sure if it's the way Poch wants to play but Eriksen plays Ticky Tack footie
We've seen a shift to a la pool to quick forward passes and Pochs team should be playing more of that.
Maybe Bayern would want Eriksen

I don't get your argument. Eriksen is always picked by Poch yet you somehow think he doesn't play the Poch way or something? Are you sure your issue isn't with Poch's style of football?

 

[Ronwol196061]

I don't get your argument. Eriksen is always picked by Poch yet you somehow think he doesn't play the Poch way or something? Are you sure your issue isn't with Poch's style of football?

Im not saying that,Im implying that the short passing game tick tack game wasn't a feature of the Bielsa system that's Poch seemed to favour. In Bielsas system passes were more risky,but faster and more dynamic. Not the Pep way at all. Im not saying Eriksen plays only that way but its his general MO. More suited to City than lets say Liverpool.But Im sure he could play either way,he just does a lot of square short passes that I really dont see on Liverpool or the Bielsa inspired Atletico team of 3 or 4 years ago etc. Poch seems to have us playing a more squarer game but maybe he wants to change it From the back there are a lot of tick tack passing and down to Eriksen and this has caused us problems with not penetrating the bus parkers,as it gave them time to set. (On the counter its totally different but that only works when teams take the game to us) Its my take on it anyway

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Im not saying that,Im implying that the short passing game tick tack game wasn't a feature of the Bielsa system that's Poch seemed to favour. In Bielsas system passes were more risky,but faster and more dynamic. Not the Pep way at all. Im not saying Eriksen plays only that way but its his general MO. More suited to City than lets say Liverpool.But Im sure he could play either way,he just does a lot of square short passes that I really dont see on Liverpool or the Bielsa inspired Atletico team of 3 or 4 years ago etc. Poch seems to have us playing a more squarer game but maybe he wants to change it From the back there are a lot of tick tack passing and down to Eriksen and this has caused us problems with not penetrating the bus parkers,as it gave them time to set. (On the counter its totally different but that only works when teams take the game to us) Its my take on it anyway

So he’s ineffective against bus-parkers and against top teams...so do you think he’s useless?

 

[Ronwol196061]

So he’s ineffective against bus-parkers and against top teams...so do you think he’s useless?

Not at all,I think he is really talented. I think there is something he lacks in his way. He is very technical and he can hit a great pass we have seen that (the pass to Dele Volley height was incredible a couple of years ago) he does a lot of good stuff. He goals are Greavesque.
I do think that he takes what is given rather than take it by the throat. I have high expectations of great players. When we are up he does all kinds of great things. When we are struggling he struggles too. In that sense I dont think he is a game changer. I see lots of short passes that I know a lot of players do,but would love to see him change pace,switch the play,for me he usually does the obvious. No great creative player.But talented,and steady.
He started off with great promise with his free kicks and then went off with that,His corners are iffy.
I remember how much Kane used to fight to get us ahead by himself.I dont see any of that with Eriksen. A great pass here and there,a good opportune goal,lots of good statistics but not so much magic.
Its the way I see it really and yet I know Eriksen is talented,works hard,is very much a technical player and maybe its playing for Poch that he is more so that way with quite a rigid system Poch employs its possible. Maybe in another situation Eriksen will unleash something else but I can only see what I see now

 

[journeyman]

Lads, Eriksen is one of our very best, there’s no argument - our best passer, our hardest runner, a bringer and provider of critical late goals. The back and forth above is claiming you no longer find your model girlfriend attractive because she’s told you she wants to see other guys.

 

[Kiedis]

The reason why more teams aren't after Eriksen is because he is a player whose importance is declining in modern football. While he can play in other places because he is very skilled, his natural position is a #10. With the emphasis on pressing and quick transitions, the traditional skilled #10 is being run out of the game.

Ozil, Mata, Isco, Dybala, Gotze, and James Rodriguez have all went from massive stars to players that big teams just can't quite find an ideal position for in the modern game. Too talented to not play, but not impactful enough to live up to their reputation and fit in the modern game tactically.

Eriksen fits in that category for me, but because we haven't had the money or recruiting pull to replace such a skilled player with a more tactically suitable alternative he still is able to maintain his position despite inconsistent bouts of form.

Once again, he's still a massive talent but his skillset isn't the ideal for the current way football is played which is why I think you don't see big teams coming for him.

One of Eriksens biggest assets is his ability to shift seamlessly between a 6, and 8 or a 10 based on what the game needs. It's the same with Alli. Eriksens defensive output isn't quite the same, but it's in a whole other realm than the names you've mentioned.

He's a bonafide genious. My only concerns with him would be that he's been running full pelt for senior sides since he was 17, and his legs may go sooner than others, and that lesser coaches than Pochettino may not get the same output from him (which is probably true for all our players).