Player watch: Christian Eriksen

[Fergus]

Eriksen thought he was too good for us, whereas in fact we were too good for him.

 

[jonnyp]

I lost all respect for him after he put in one of the worst performances I have ever seen in the CL final and then had the gall to say in the interview straight after the final that it was time to find a new challenge instead of apologizing for a shit and completely lethargic performance.

He doesn't have the tempo to be a top player anymore. He was shit for over a year before he left and he has been shit for Inter.

 

[cozzo]

Is he forgiven? He wants to come back

 

[Goobers]

I love the guy and think he is a brilliant player. But my hunch tells me that him coming back wouldn’t be successful. But if they are desperate to sell or loan him come near deadline day you would be silly not to consider it

 

[kursaal]

Ericksen was superb for us for all but six months or so when his mind was clearly elsewhere. Even towards the end of his time with us when his game was not sparking his work rate never faltered. It's concerning that he's not been able to recapture his form in Italy. For that reason I would not want him back as he may simply be burned out. He's played a lot of games for his age and it could be he's past his beat as he's burned out.

 

[wrd]

I think the reason people have such polarising views on bringing Eriksen back is that clearly he has incredible footballing ability. His passes are probably only bettered by KDB in the prem.

The problem Eriksen has though, is the same as Ozil and to an extent Dele and it is simply that football has evolved over the last 18 months and we're seeing 4-2-3-1 less and less and it's being replaced by 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 and even the 4-3-3 of the modern age is more about splitting Centrebacks and having the DM make up the 3 when your team has the ball. The number 10 role has seemingly been eviscerated. The issue for these 10's is they have two choice. They either learn to play in the front 3, either as a false 9, a winger or a wide forward playing close to the 9 or you become part of the midfield trio.

Now for me the issue with Eriksen has always been that his passing ability would be absolutely magical playing in a quarter back role. The problem is that he is so weak in the challenge and just is not up to it defensively other than running around a lot. If you want to analyse the difference between Modric and Eriksen, I would say that is why Eriksen didn't get his move because Modric has that in spades on top of his passing quality.

So then you look at the possibility of Eriksen in the false 9, he doesn't have the strength or ability to hold the ball up well, he doesn't have the pace to play out wide really but his passing from out wide may give a few teams a reason to try and get him.

Frankly despite all the ability Eriksen has, he lacks some key components to his game which would allow him to fit anywhere in either of the systems we will most likely play. Look at Ndombele the other day, we all rave about his passing but he has the additional ability of being able to be pretty damn strong defensively when it comes to challenging for the ball, he can brush off midfielders. Eriksen simply can't do those things.

 

[Pochie]

I would definitely want Eriksen back.
He can pick a pass.
Baller.
Forgive and forget.
Life's too short.
You wanna win a title???

 

[therealGlenn]

IMO Eriksen is a brilliant player and i really like him. I just think there are things that make him a bit a less competitive to others sometimes. He has made comments in the past about players being treat like commodities and ‘owned’ by the club and I think it gets to him sometimes. I equate it to my job, I think I’m reasonably good at it, but the whole ‘corporate‘ world just doesn’t do it for me and stops me from pushing myself to really succeed. Others lap it up and are so motivated to climb the ladder. I think the business side of the game makes him slightly apathetic. Maybe that’s why he wanted a change, a change is as good as holiday.....

Just my opinion and not very well put, but hey ho

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

He said he wanted to go and try something new. Does he really even want to come back? I don’t watch any Italian football but from the little I’ve seen his form hasn’t been great. Im not sure on this one at all.

 

[ShayLaB]

It's like any job. Sometimes you need a reset or s break to get you back on track. It was in his head to leave and seek out something different. Maybe that itch is scratched now.

It could be that he felt he was going stale. It might be a different team he returns to.

I am not adverse to him coming back if he wanted that himself. Assuming it doesn't cost more than he was sold for. That would be pants.

 

[CanadaSpurs]

Starting today. Still seems somewhat confused about why he’s in Milan and not somewhere in Spain.

 

[Navy Spur]

If and it’s a big if, he is motivated, his head is in the right place and he wants to come back to us and the price is right it’s a no brainer for me!

I don’t blame him for wanting a change, let’s face it not everything was rosy at the club. What is unforgivable is if he was deliberately not trying, personally I don’t think that was the case.

Maybe just maybe we are starting to see the fruits of the investment in our infrastructure; amazing training facilities and stadium, the grass isn’t always greener, maybe he realises what a great setup we have and sees the potential with Jose and the additions to the team.

If he came back would he be a regular starter? Initially, probably not but when he’s on his game he’s superb and another great option off the bench.

The question you have to ask is would you be happy with him signing for Utd, Chelsea or Arsenal?

Probably not a popular opinion but I would like to see him back ?

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Starting today. Still seems somewhat confused about why he’s in Milan and not somewhere in Spain.

He should look in the mirror and realise he’s been poor, by his high standards, for a long time.

Such a shame. An incredibly talented player

 

[sausage]

I lost all respect for him after he put one of the worst performances I have ever seen in the CL final and then had the gall to say in the interview strraight after the final that it was time to find a new challenge instead of apologizing for a shit performance.

In his defence, he was a bit crap in the QF and Semi too. VAR saved him from gifting city a goal and then he said he had better chances of winning stuff in Italy.
I'm not really a fan of the whole "It's not my fault if we don't win things" shtick a lot of players seem to exude.

 

[walton]

And who is going to defend?

Stuart Nethercott

 

[dere911]

I’m watching Eriksen play against fiorentina and he playing like total crap. Has no hustle what’s so ever and slowly moves around the pitch

His playmaking skills have dropped dramatically

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

Our old Eriksen hell yes, but the recent Eriksen, hell no!

The start of last season he deteriorated badly, a very light shadow of himself the and the prior 12 months he was average at best with some flashes on the odd occasion. His half season in Inter he was quite a bit below average, he looked like a passenger, he doesnt have the work rate/intensity of his team mates more importantly demanded by Conte.

For the first half today so far against Fiorentina, nothing seems to have changed, not involved, barely influencing game, few stray passes, no intensity, no gumption, he just seems a bit of a passenger, ok it is his and inter's first game of the season, but so far its not positive, he looks so out of sync in general and his team

I love Eriksen, grateful for what he has done for us , he is quality is undeniable, but he has not just lost his mojo, he has lost his confidence, he just isnt right. It would be too much of a risk right now, and i doubt he would want to come back after him and his misses wanting a new life, new country, new challenge, also on a commercial point he will be 29 in February 2021(in 5 months), no way Levy and Lewis will pay any decent cash, unless its a proper bargain.

 

[kent brockman]

The problem Eriksen has though, is the same as Ozil and to an extent Dele and it is simply that football has evolved over the last 18 months and we're seeing 4-2-3-1 less and less and it's being replaced by 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 and even the 4-3-3 of the modern age is more about splitting Centrebacks and having the DM make up the 3 when your team has the ball. The number 10 role has seemingly been eviscerated. The issue for these 10's is they have two choice. They either learn to play in the front 3, either as a false 9, a winger or a wide forward playing close to the 9 or you become part of the midfield trio.

Frankly despite all the ability Eriksen has, he lacks some key components to his game which would allow him to fit anywhere in either of the systems we will most likely play. Look at Ndombele the other day, we all rave about his passing but he has the additional ability of being able to be pretty damn strong defensively when it comes to challenging for the ball, he can brush off midfielders. Eriksen simply can't do those things.

Good point. Seems like neither Eriksen nor Dele fit Jose’s puzzle anymore.

 

[wrd]

Good point. Seems like neither Eriksen nor Dele fit Jose’s puzzle anymore.

Dele luckily has the physical attributes where he could transition but unfortunately for him, Lo Celso and Ndombele have more in their locker.

 

[S17PUR]

I think the reason people have such polarising views on bringing Eriksen back is that clearly he has incredible footballing ability. His passes are probably only bettered by KDB in the prem.

The problem Eriksen has though, is the same as Ozil and to an extent Dele and it is simply that football has evolved over the last 18 months and we're seeing 4-2-3-1 less and less and it's being replaced by 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 and even the 4-3-3 of the modern age is more about splitting Centrebacks and having the DM make up the 3 when your team has the ball. The number 10 role has seemingly been eviscerated. The issue for these 10's is they have two choice. They either learn to play in the front 3, either as a false 9, a winger or a wide forward playing close to the 9 or you become part of the midfield trio.

Now for me the issue with Eriksen has always been that his passing ability would be absolutely magical playing in a quarter back role. The problem is that he is so weak in the challenge and just is not up to it defensively other than running around a lot. If you want to analyse the difference between Modric and Eriksen, I would say that is why Eriksen didn't get his move because Modric has that in spades on top of his passing quality.

So then you look at the possibility of Eriksen in the false 9, he doesn't have the strength or ability to hold the ball up well, he doesn't have the pace to play out wide really but his passing from out wide may give a few teams a reason to try and get him.

Frankly despite all the ability Eriksen has, he lacks some key components to his game which would allow him to fit anywhere in either of the systems we will most likely play. Look at Ndombele the other day, we all rave about his passing but he has the additional ability of being able to be pretty damn strong defensively when it comes to challenging for the ball, he can brush off midfielders. Eriksen simply can't do those things.

Agree with this, but if the deal is there to be done then Eriksen is an extremely good option for the squad, particularly against sides that defend deep against us and negate our counter attacking threat.

I do agree with others in that *if* we're looking at playing a 4-3-3 long term, we may benefit from a specialist DM more thank an AM, but I think it's also been clear that we lack creativity and have always struggled to break down defensive sides when Eriksen hasn't played in the last 5-6 years.

I certainly wouldn't be against signing him if the deal was good (for example the mooted swap deal for Sissoko).