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Player watch: Christian Eriksen

stewartd

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2003
570
2,083
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).
Sorry mate you are wrong.
I watched the game tonight and he was worse then usual. He has totally gone and was subbed.
Anyone who thinks he could contribute anything to our squad in his present form is mistaken. Better to remember him in his prime when he was excellent.
One player who stood out was Ribery who is still dynamic , I hope Bale brings the same zest and enthusiasm to us.
 

PrettyColors

Rosie47 Fan
Aug 13, 2011
3,866
10,074
He looked quite past it today vs Fiorentina. Inter fans giving him a lot of stick. more of the same it would seem after that tough spring he had. For what it’s worth, a 37-year-old Franck Ribery almost won the game for Fiorentina and looked incredible for his age. Got me thinking...

Reading over this thread makes me sad, truthfully. I really believe that core injury he was carrying back in 2018 has ruined him as a top-level player, and it’s no exaggeration to say he’s never looked the same since the 17-18 season. a core injury is going to manifest itself in many different ways, and is a sign of an overworked player, especially in a WC year. Let’s not forget just how much he gave to this club and was routinely in the top midfielders for ground covered. I think Eriksen, like Rose, Dier, Dele and somewhat Kane all ended up at the peak fitness of their lives during Poch’s prime from 15-18, and all had huge issues coming back from injury as the same player. They were younger, fueled by adrenaline and ambition, giving everything and we were flying at points. But to regain the heights, one of the flaws of our intensity under Poch made getting players back in after a knock even more difficult. And as we saw with Kane, Eriksen was rushed back too quickly due to poor squad building. Just never the same player, doesn’t trust himself and looks listless.

I said this in the NDombele thread but the second most important trait in a creative player is belief and the uncompromising desire to press, probe and play balls into dangerous areas. Eriksen was the best at being a relentless creator, the way Messi and KDB are, and losing that intensity has really made him suffer. He really deserves a lot more respect on here. However, for that reason I wouldn’t want him back. If we’re looking to spend £30m on a creative player let’s get one with a profile like Son, Modric, or Eriksen back in 2013, someone young with tons of energy looking to prove themselves, who demands the ball. Eriksen doesn’t do that anymore, and we should let him stay gone.
 
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DenverSpur

Well-Known Member
Sep 25, 2011
1,915
5,508
If we’re looking for a midfielder we could do worst than look at Brighton’s Alcatraz. Great engine, tenacious box to box player. Only 22. A potential star. He’s Colombian but they got him from Orient so could be classed as homegrown
 

Tucker

Shitehawk
Jul 15, 2013
31,129
146,008
If we’re looking for a midfielder we could do worst than look at Brighton’s Alcatraz. Great engine, tenacious box to box player. Only 22. A potential star. He’s Colombian but they got him from Orient so could be classed as homegrown

Yeah he’s a bit of a rock that guy. But I hear he’s locked in to a deal with Brighton.
 

DJS

A hoonter must hoont
Dec 9, 2006
31,261
21,760
I worry he seems to be really struggling for form.

Also, would he fit into a 4-3-3?
 

Hazelton

Unknown Member
Jul 11, 2011
5,527
19,291
Hasn't been a world class playmaker in years. If it wasn't for our previous link with him and his past performances, nobody would want him here based on the player he currently is.
 

gavspur

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,255
8,686
I think people are forgetting that even when Jose arrived and didn’t start him, when we were in trouble, a half arsed Eriksen was the go to player from the bench.. If he has a desire, and has seen the players we have added, he is still a better option than most players we could attract.
 

Thanksandy

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2005
130
267
He looked quite past it today vs Fiorentina. Inter fans giving him a lot of stick. more of the same it would seem after that tough spring he had. For what it’s worth, a 37-year-old Franck Ribery almost won the game for Fiorentina and looked incredible for his age. Got me thinking...

Reading over this thread makes me sad, truthfully. I really believe that core injury he was carrying back in 2018 has ruined him as a top-level player, and it’s no exaggeration to say he’s never looked the same since the 17-18 season. a core injury is going to manifest itself in many different ways, and is a sign of an overworked player, especially in a WC year. Let’s not forget just how much he gave to this club and was routinely in the top midfielders for ground covered. I think Eriksen, like Rose, Dier, Dele and somewhat Kane all ended up at the peak fitness of their lives during Poch’s prime from 15-18, and all had huge issues coming back from injury as the same player. They were younger, fueled by adrenaline and ambition, giving everything and we were flying at points. But to regain the heights, one of the flaws of our intensity under Poch made getting players back in after a knock even more difficult. And as we saw with Kane, Eriksen was rushed back too quickly due to poor squad building. Just never the same player, doesn’t trust himself and looks listless.

I said this in the NDombele thread but the second most important trait in a creative player is belief and the uncompromising desire to press, probe and play balls into dangerous areas. Eriksen was the best at being a relentless creator, the way Messi and KDB are, and losing that intensity has really made him suffer. He really deserves a lot more respect on here. However, for that reason I wouldn’t want him back. If we’re looking to spend £30m on a creative player let’s get one with a profile like Son, Modric, or Eriksen back in 2013, someone young with tons of energy looking to prove themselves, who demands the ball. Eriksen doesn’t do that anymore, and we should let him stay gone.

I think this is an excellent point and something some fans may not truly appreciate or realise. We've seen how bad injuries have affected so many players and they never get back to what they used to be. Rose and Wanyama are two examples.
The fact he made it public he wanted to leave, which he has every right to, led to a loss of respect from many fans.
What seemed to be apathetic and below par performances, were not necessarily or entirely due to his lack of motivation or application on the pitch, but the very injury you are referring to had a knock-on effect and consequences we may still not know about or fully understand, as that information is never made public.
I don't feel any animosity towards him or any enjoyment over his struggles in Italy. He gave us several years of his career and he never won anything. You can't blame him for seeking a new challenge at his age.
He never put in a transfer request or refused to play/train like some other former players.
He is in bad form and we don't have the funds to bring him back, before we secure a CB and Striker, which are higher priorities. I'm not sure where he would fit into our team, as I think Mourinho may start going towards a 433 formation or even playing with wing backs.
 

yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,188
Eriksen was great for us until the last 12-18 months. He wanted to go, increasingly more desparate, and just lost his motivation. Doubt he’d have it back if he came back after only 8 months. What we need is someone like Eriksen or Lo Celso who can knit it all together.
 

Snarfalicious

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2012
15,709
71,934
Eriksen was great for us until the last 12-18 months. He wanted to go, increasingly more desparate, and just lost his motivation. Doubt he’d have it back if he came back after only 8 months. What we need is someone like Eriksen or Lo Celso who can knit it all together.

 

Lennon1981

Well-Known Member
Jun 30, 2011
478
937
Dele’s poor form 100% started when Eriksen went off the boil. So bringing a committed Eriksen back could solve that problem too.
But where would he play? We’ve seen at inter that he is no good as a rotation player he needs to play.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,330
I just don't think it's a good idea, for many reasons.

But ultimately it depends on Mourinho and his vision, and whether he'd want him. I don't think he will even if the idea has been floated to him.

I'd much rather have another GLC type, who has that tenacity off the ball.
 
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