According to Sky Sports pundit and famous linguist Paul Merson, Tottenham’s top-four hopes could hinge on Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen staying at the club this summer. Talking about Eriksen, Merson told Sky programme the Debate: “I’d go as far as to say that if he went before the transfer window shuts, I’d be surprised if they got into the top four,”
Doubts over Eriksen’s Tottenham future
There are doubts over the Denmark international’s future in north London. He is out of contract next summer and has talked about being ready for a new challenge. It does not look good for Tottenham.
Manchester United were monitoring the Dane’s situation before the summer transfer window shut for Premier League and Championship clubs. Despite that window shutting, the transfer window is still very much open in Europe.
Real Madrid were heavily linked with Eriksen earlier in the summer. However, they have spent big since the links, and the rumours of a move to the Bernabeu have seemingly died down.
With a few weeks left of the transfer window, Los Blancos could still make a move for the Danish international. The likes of Juventus and Inter have also previously been interested in signing the playmaker.
Eriksen is Tottenham’s creative spark
Christian Eriksen is the player that Tottenham look for when in need of creative inspiration. The first game of the season at home to Aston Villa was a good example.
Mauricio Pochettino decided to start with the Dane on the bench. However, they looked bereft of attacking ideas and creativity without him on the pitch. Once Eriksen came on, Spurs went on to record a relatively comfortable 3-1 win against the Villans.
The Danish international has been so consistent with his creativity and consistent in recent years. If he left there would be a massive hole in the team when it comes to the ability to unlock defences.
Tottenham brought in Argentinian playmaker Giovani Lo Celso, some claim as a replacement for Eriksen. The 23-year-old maybe highly-rated, but he could time to adjust to the Premier League. His teammate and compatriot, Erik Lamela has never really come to grips with life in the English top-flight.
If you asked most Spurs fans if they wanted Eriksen to stay or leave, there would be a definite answer that’s for sure. Why would they want their most creative attacking player to leave the club?
At this minute in time, it seems that Eriksen is likely to stay in north London until his contract expires. Then next summer he will be a free agent and can move wherever he wishes. No doubt he will earn himself a big payday in the process.
Tottenham will seal a top-four spot this season
There is no doubt that Tottenham are the closest team to last seasons top-two Manchester City and Liverpool when it comes to quality. Spurs finished fourth in the table last season.
However, that was governed by the circumstance of their run to the Champions League final and also terrible luck with injuries too. The north London outfit would be highly unfortunate to have the same level of injuries this season.
This season they are the favourites after last seasons top-two to finish in the Champions League spots at odds of 4/9. It would take a brave man to bet against Pochettino’s side sealing another top-four spot this season.
Although Eriksen is not expected to leave before the transfer window shuts, if the Denmark international does leave, it would be a big blow to their chances of finishing in the Champions League spot.
The more likely scenario is the one mentioned above, as he gives Spurs one more season and helps them to another relatively successful campaign. By then Lo Celso should be acclimatised to the English game. However, it seems unlikely that the former Real Betis star can produce the same sort of consistency Eriksen has in recent Premier League campaigns.
Will Christian Eriksen stay at Tottenham for the rest of the season?
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