Playing or not playing disgruntled midfielder Christian Eriksen remains an unanswered question. Following a poor run of form, and an ongoing refusal to sign any new contract, the Dane has fallen out of favour with the Spurs fans. With Jose Mourinho now holding the reins at Tottenham Hotspur, it appears there has been no change of heart, despite a much-improved set of results.
There is no doubt that he has been an integral part of Spurs’ five-year rise during the Mauricio Pochettino era. At one point in 2017, he could boast the highest number of assists in Europe. He had impressive free-kicks, accurate passing, and the ability to place the ball on a sixpence. Even the many unhappy Spurs fans concede that his football brain is still needed, especially since the departure of Mousa Dembele. In matches where he has been brought on, like the tight home game against Aston Villa, and more recently in the away tie with Manchester United, he has made an impact. Albeit, the latter ended in a loss to the North Londoners, his immediate link-up play was not unnoticed.
Christian Eriksen: To Play or Not to Play? That is the Question
No Place for the Prince of Denmark?
That said, he didn’t make the pitch on Saturday despite warming up twice. Does this mean Spurs have finally found their midfield form and no longer need him? Many take the view that with his insistence on departure, he should not even make the bench. In a press conference this week, the Eriksen question was posed to José Mourinho. Asked if the players’ departure was confirmed, he said:
“My feelings are until I have anything official, it is hypothetical things and speculation. It is not my place to comment, there is not much to say. The only thing that is very, very objective is that at the end of the season, the player is a free agent. That is the only thing we know, on a pragmatic point of view. Apart from that, we cannot comment.”
When asked if he had a chance to speak to Eriksen, Mourinho replied; “Yes. Of course, I have.”
Mourinho: ‘Is He A Fantastic Player? Yes, He is.’
Smiling ambiguously when asked if he would reveal what was said he went on: “No. It’s for him to tell you, I am not going to tell you. I have had a conversation with him. Me, I have to defend the interests of my club. My club is more important than my players. My players are more important than me. The club is more important than any one of us, so that’s the way I think.
“Is he a fantastic player? Yes he is. But, the situation is that I have to think first in the clubs’ interest. I am not going to tell you, if Christian wants to do it by a personal point of view what we spoke? – I am perfectly fine with it, I have absolutely nothing to hide, I am just not sharing with you. It’s a question of respect to the player.”
Not the answer the press and fans were hoping for. There was no doubt, until last weekend, that the midfield area has been problematic for the Lilywhites. The ‘sideways’ football, as it has been dubbed, had stunted their effective attacking style. One-touch fast pace play became almost obsolete.
No Need for Christian Eriksen to Soldier On?
Saturday’s five-goal rout against Burnley, though, saw the stadium erupt, with a screaming strike from Harry Kane quickly overshadowed by a jaw-dropper at the feet of Son Heug-min. Even goal-shy Moussa Sissoko grabbed some adoration, netting late-on for Spurs’ fifth. The only question left is was that a return to top form for Tottenham? Or an abysmal show from Burnley? Most would favour the former, especially those in the stadium.
One thing is for sure that when the dust and transfer furore has settled, fans should come to remember the contribution the ‘midfield dynamite’ made to their undoubted rise. Sadly though, amid cries of ‘traitor’, it seems unlikely he will depart with the best wishes of those who once adored him. If he does indeed leave in the summer on a free transfer, whoever employs him will undoubtedly be bagging an incredible bargain. The question remains not as to whether he will leave, but should he be played in the interim? With no slot for the spectacular display against Burnley, it would appear it has been answered. With an imminent game against Bayern Munich and a home tie against Chelsea, his appearance or lack of it, may settle the argument once and for all.
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