It’s been unpleasant reading for Tottenham fans over the last couple of weeks, with Ekstra Bladet just one of a number of outlets to report that midfield maestro Christian Eriksen is on the lookout for a new challenge.
Indeed, the news might well have divided fans, considering his importance to the team over the years, though some fans believed the fact he reportedly (per the Evening Standard) Mauricio Pochettino he wanted to leave prior to the Champions League final was the wrong move. Yet, while the Dane has certainly shown his hand early, there’s no room for grudges here.
It’s never too late for the midfielder to change his mind.
The Eriksen “saga” began before the end of the season, with Spanish outlet El Confidencial reporting Zinedine Zidane was keen to bring the midfielder to Madrid and such rumours were perhaps fueled upon the Dane’s rather apparent desire to ‘try something new’.
Yet, it has more recently emerged that Madrid may turn their attention elsewhere, with Marca reporting Zidane is prioritising a move for Paul Pogba. Moreover, AS have reported that Eriksen is beginning to change his mind, recognising that a potential Tottenham stay is actually on the cards.
While fans may have already got used to the idea of the potential incoming of Giovani Lo Celso, who The Mirror report is the imminent subject of a second Tottenham bid, perhaps the idea of an Eriksen U-turn isn’t such a daft idea.
Let’s go back to March of last year, where Toby Alderweireld had almost entirely lost his place in the team to Davinson Sanchez, the regular favourite after missing the first three months of the season with injury, while contract talks were reportedly in tatters.
The once Tottenham favourite had become somewhat of an outcast at the club. The Sun had reported a number of clubs were chasing his signature, with United leading the race. With his contract just a year from expiring (albeit with an optional extension that would add a release clause), the Belgian’s time at Tottenham was in jeopardy.
This season, however, Alderweireld played 34 league games alongside a further 12 in the Champions League. He has also talked of his desire to stay for another season (as per Sport360).
If Alderweireld can experience this type of turnaround, there’s no reason it couldn’t happen for Eriksen. If anything, the former was in a worse situation. He was actually out of the team, after all.
Eriksen, on the other hand, played in nearly every game this season, including 35 in the league and 12 in the Champions League. Despite some suggestions that he’s been out of form, he also contributed 10 goals and 16 assists in that time.
The midfielder, valued at £76.5m (as per TransferMarkt), is still a hugely important player for the club. Jan Vertonghen has recently expressed his desire for the Dane to remain a Tottenham player, describing him as ‘exceptional’, so it’s clear he retains support behind the scenes.
Should Eriksen decide to stay, it can only be recognised as good news for Tottenham fans. Since his £12m signing in 2013, he has contributed towards 109 goals in 208 Premier League appearances, which really isn’t bad going, is it?
If a U-turn is on the cards, take it.
Tottenham fans, would you like to see Eriksen stay at the club? Or is it time for him to move on? Comment below.
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