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Eriksen is back

By Ratul Ghosh

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Christian Eriksen

The winter transfer window is in full swing across Europe, and teams are already strengthening up in areas of weaknesses. Philippe Coutinho sealed a sensational return to the Premier League with Aston Villa, and Aaron Ramsey is rumoured to be heading back to England soon as well. Joining the pair could be another former league hero, who has had a life-changing 12 months. Christian Eriksen’s fateful Euro 2020 will live long in the memory, as the midfielder suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the pitch, being “legally dead” for minutes. The events that followed have been recounted many times, and the player had to be fitted with a pacemaker too.

 

Still an Inter player, he was forbidden to play in Italy due to the FIGC’s rules banning anyone with a pacemaker to play professional football. Eriksen, for his part, has always maintained that he wants to get back on the pitch soon and last week, Premier League club Brentford were strongly linked with the Dane as to have offered him a six-month contract. Though there has been no concrete word of course, the prospect of him playing soon surely excites fans worldwide.

 

FootTheBall looks at five clubs that could really use a player of Eriksen’s stature and abilities.

 

BRENTFORD

This potential move makes a lot of sense for both parties. The newly promoted Bees currently sit nine points above the relegation zone, having suffered three consecutive defeats on the trot. Thomas Frank’s 3-5-2 formation could certainly use Eriksen, in the number 10 role behind the two strikers up front. They could definitely use more creativity in the upcoming months, especially with relegation still possible.

 

The club’s links with Denmark is strong, with seven players from the country having already featured in the league so far. Neither of Christian Norgaard or Vitaly Janelt are really renowned for their playmaking skills, which Eriksen can fill. Brentford need players to supply more frequently to Ivan Toney and co. up front and having someone of Eriksen’s calibre helps a lot.

 

NEWCASTLE UNITED

The world’s richest club are in all sorts of relegation trouble, sitting four points adrift of safety before the match against Leeds United. Eddie Howe is certainly trying his best, but the quality on the pitch does need an uplift. Kieran Trippier and Christian Wood have arrived to bolster the squad but getting Eriksen would be a statement of intent. The Dane would slot right into the three-man midfield, replacing one of Jonjo Shelvey or Sean Longstaff. The strike force of Wood and Allan Saint-Maximin thrive on good service of two different kinds.

 

While the former will be a danger from Eriksen’s set-pieces and crossing ability, the latter will love to get on the end of some delightful passes in order to utilise his pace and trickery. Joe Willock and Miguel Almiron have not shown enough to make their case as starters yet under Howe, with Eriksen being capable of conjuring some magic of old.

 

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

The Seagulls have been having a brilliant season so far, sitting in ninth and looking well set for a top-half finish. Graham Potter is universally praised for the work he has been doing since arrival and adding Eriksen will only be for the betterment of the team. Granted, the team are doing well with the players and have good options to play in behind the main striker. Alexis Mac Allister, Jakub Moder, Leandro Trossard have all stepped up when needed and would feel aggrieved if they were dropped for Eriksen. However, the possibility of having the 29-year-old as a veteran in the camp and coming on from the bench even to impact important games is a good gamble to take.

 

WATFORD

A chastening 3-0 loss to Norwich City have dropped the Hornets into the relegation zone and alarm bells will certainly be ringing. They have been keeping busy in the transfer market but it does look like more investment will be needed before the month ends. Eriksen can thrive in the 4-3-3 and has some in-form strikers to supply to. Emmanuel Dennis, Josh King and Joao Pedro have all shown that they can score goals when needed which Claudio Ranieri requires in pretty much every match. Eriksen’s quality and experience can show up in the right moments in dragging Watford to safety through his goals and assists. Though the defence looks more in need of work, the attack can also do with retooling.

 

SPURS

Surely they have to consider a move for their former star man? Antonio Conte is no stranger to working with Eriksen, and can once again bring out the best in the Dane. Giovani Lo Celso is the only senior number 10 in the squad with Tanguy Ndombele’s time at White Hart Lane all but coming to an end. Eriksen has of course played superbly well with Harry Kane in the past and the England striker does need help in order to get back to his top form.

 

With Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura also fixtures in the attack now, Eriksen can wreak havoc in a free-role in front of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and the front three. Spurs are looking like contenders for the top four and can do with Eriksen’s quality if they want to get back amongst the elite of Europe soon.

Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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