Christian Eriksen

[FatBloke]

Hoddle was probably ( imo) the best player to wear our shirt and should have got far more then the 50 odd caps he got for England, i loved to watch him play and even got to the grounds early to see him in the warm ups and (imo) was the most talented English player ever.

However ( and i have mentioned this on here before) as a pundit he talks a lot of brick and i hate listening to him.

Yep. The sort of person who thinks Eriksen is a weak link is probably the same sort of person who thought Hoddle was too lightweight, too much of a luxury player to play for England. The sort of person who's just plain wrong, IMHO.

Destroyers, runners, tacklers, box-to-box midfielders, they're all ten-a-penny. Truly creative players who can unlock a defence at the top level, now they're absolute gold dust.

I'll admit that Eriksen does have the odd off game, but when he's good he's superb. HOW many defence-splitting chances has he created in the last few weeks, against teams set up to defend? Exactly the same teams we've struggled against so much in the past. I'm not saying he's truly world class, i.e. would slot into the Best XI In The Whole Damn World, but he's not far off. Who would -- truly -- be an upgrade? We're talking a Messi, Reus or Modric here, an Iniesta or Scholes level of player.

Don't forget that Eriksen also covers a whole load of ground. He's tirelessly making space for himself. You don't need to tackle if you can intercept!

I just took a look at an article listing the highest-rated midfielders in FIFA '17. The top 5 were Ozil, Modric, Pogba, De Bruyne and Iniesta. Would you swap Eriksen for Ozil or Pogba? I wouldn't.

EDIT: Actually, I've been thinking a bit more about that FIFA top 5:
1. Ozil -- would rather have Eriksen, all day long.
2. Modric -- been there, done that. Would gladly have him back, but remember that he's a fair bit older.
3. Pogba -- not playing to Eriksen's level for ManU. Might get there one day. Potential.
4. De Bruyne -- I'd consider the swap, but I don't think De Bruyne is as much of a "heartbeat" player. And he's ginger.
5. Iniesta -- too old. In his prime, #1 on this list. Possibly #2 behind Xavi.

 

[Raziel]

Anyone who thinks we can replace Eriksen will be very hard to have a reasonable conversation with. Eriksen is the rhythm of this team, go back to that video of him against Swansea, look at that pass to Jan for Watford, he's playing stuff now that could rightly be compared to any creative midfielder in the world.

He does assists, goals, covers huge distance, does his part defensively. Look at most he's compared to Ozil, De Bruyne, Pogba even Dele, none of those are as consistently involved in the game, they fade in and out (when they are in, effective but not for 90 mins). Add in physically he isn't injured very often and is now 25 .. wtf?

To me just like Kane finally replaced Berbatov for us, Eriksen (while not the same player) has finally replaced Modric for us.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Erisken is the brains of the team

Kane and Alli are the heartbeat

The defence is very much the muscle and fibre that keeps us moving

And the remaining players are the other organs that are vital to the success

 

[Gazza]

I don't think we can do better than Eriksen with our budget.

However we can get the next best thing or someone at the very least can pick up of and when Eriksen loses form.

Its only Eriksen and Kane that do not have direct competition or an understudy in the team.

 

[Raziel]

I don't think we can do better than Eriksen with our budget.

However we can get the next best thing or someone at the very least can pick up of and when Eriksen loses form.

Its only Eriksen and Kane that do not have direct competition or an understudy in the team.

Exactly, no issue with that approach and think it's something we need to do.

To me (mentioned it before), we need a player to rotate around Eriksen like Winks was rotating around Dembele.

 

[FatBloke]

Exactly, no issue with that approach and think it's something we need to do.

To me (mentioned it before), we need a player to rotate around Eriksen like Winks was rotating around Dembele.

I'm not so sure. At this rarefied level, it's rare to replace like with like. For example, Dier and Wanyama have quite different styles, while Dembele and Winks are chalk and cheese. However, for me the Dier-Dembele pairing (in a 3-4-3) isn't really too different from Wanyama-Winks.

I sort of see Winks as someone who could grow into our Eriksen replacement, in much the same way that Eriksen occupies the spot formerly held by Carrick and Modric (while not being exactly the same style of player). Or will Marcus Edwards be the one?

We are trying to get hold of promising youngsters, but it ain't easy. I've never seen him play, but from what I've read Halilovic is an example of that.

 

[Raziel]

I'm not so sure. At this rarefied level, it's rare to replace like with like. For example, Dier and Wanyama have quite different styles, while Dembele and Winks are chalk and cheese. However, for me the Dier-Dembele pairing (in a 3-4-3) isn't really too different from Wanyama-Winks.

I sort of see Winks as someone who could grow into our Eriksen replacement, in much the same way that Eriksen occupies the spot formerly held by Carrick and Modric (while not being exactly the same style of player). Or will Marcus Edwards be the one?

We are trying to get hold of promising youngsters, but it ain't easy. I've never seen him play, but from what I've read Halilovic is an example of that.

I agree, it won't be like for like, it will be a player than can take that role in the system.

Not sure with Winks, I thought initially he would be the Eriksen understudy but Poch rotates him around Dembele's role.

 

[Gazza]

I'm not so sure. At this rarefied level, it's rare to replace like with like. For example, Dier and Wanyama have quite different styles, while Dembele and Winks are chalk and cheese. However, for me the Dier-Dembele pairing (in a 3-4-3) isn't really too different from Wanyama-Winks.

I sort of see Winks as someone who could grow into our Eriksen replacement, in much the same way that Eriksen occupies the spot formerly held by Carrick and Modric (while not being exactly the same style of player). Or will Marcus Edwards be the one?

We are trying to get hold of promising youngsters, but it ain't easy. I've never seen him play, but from what I've read Halilovic is an example of that.

Not doing so well these days vs the hype -halilovic

Your post is very valid but I think the point is that we need cover/competition for Eriksen to avoid being over reliant on any one player.

We are lucky Kane had a relatively short stint away even though others have stepped up.

Why take the chance?

 

[Lemonade Money]

Erisken is the brains of the team

Kane and Alli are the heartbeat

The defence is very much the muscle and fibre that keeps us moving

And the remaining players are the other organs that are vital to the success

But I thought Eriksen was the pussy, Sissoko the boob and Levy the arsehole?

 

[Gazza]

We don't have to play money ball but I think if we can get Zaha/Tielemans and Barkley to replace sissoko and nkoudou we would have a team that have serious options.

With Lamela coming back I think we would have enough about us should Eriksen lose form etc.

 

[Notmegov]

We don't have to pay money ball but I think if we can get Zaha/Tielemans and Barkley to replace sissoko and nkoudou we would have a team that have serious options.

With Lamela coming back I think we would have enough about us should Eriksen loses form etc.

Now that would be nice...

 

[Cochise]

I always think that you need to find that balance between creating and finishing and with Eriksen we have the right player to balance the other three.

I think he is probably the hardest player to replace in our team. Son and Alli atm could probably alternate in the 343, but no one else combines Eriksen's vision and range of passing, he's just got too much. Even looking across the top leagues, there aren't many putting up the numbers that he is and those that are fall outside our price range. Our scouting team need to really earn their keep this summer in making sure he's adequately covered. I personally like Tielemans but he would want plenty of starts.

Many people think that Lamela could just be a like for like swap, but in all honesty I don't think the guy has the tool kit to do what Eriksen does apart from pressing better. I'd like to see Edwards given a chance, but he's probably someone more in the Dele role who can offer a bit of both (goals and creating). Winks certainly possesses the right qualities, though is more used to acting from deep.

 

[Gazza]

I always think that you need to find that balance between creating and finishing and with Eriksen we have the right player to balance the other three.

I think he is probably the hardest player to replace in our team. Son and Alli atm could probably alternate in the 343, but no one else combines Eriksen's vision and range of passing, he's just got too much. Even looking across the top leagues, there aren't many putting up the numbers that he is and those that are fall outside our price range. Our scouting team need to really earn their keep this summer in making sure he's adequately covered. I personally like Tielemans but he would want plenty of starts.

Many people think that Lamela could just be a like for like swap, but in all honesty I don't think the guy has the tool kit to do what Eriksen does apart from pressing better. I'd like to see Edwards given a chance, but he's probably someone more in the Dele role who can offer a bit of both (goals and creating). Winks certainly possesses the right qualities, though is more used to acting from deep.

Not seen enough of Edwards to even suggest that he is currently fit enough to tie Eriksens boots.

Lamela is not a direct replacement for Eriksen but is affective in his own style if being involved further up the pitch. He can still find a pass and score a goal. May not have the ability to pass or wriggle out of trouble like Eriksen...

I think we need options that can counter if Eriksen gets injured or missing.

 

[afsoc4life]

Not seen enough of Edwards to even suggest that he is currently fit enough to tie Eriksens boots.

Lamela is not a direct replacement for Eriksen but is affective in his own style if being involved further up the pitch. He can still find a pass and score a goal. May not have the ability to pass or wriggle out of trouble like Eriksen...

I think we need options that can counter if Eriksen gets injured or missing.

Agreed. We have been fortunate that he has been fit. We need another player like him. That would greatly help in Europe.

 

[milo]

I'm going to risk the ire of some here, including a few like @parklane1 and THFCSteff whose opinions I respect and usually agree with. Mr. Eriksen has a long way to go for me to be considered as a top player. He is a bottler when it comes to a 50/50 ball, hasn't scored with a free kick since The Beatles were top of the hit parade, doesn't tackle back and has failed to find form this season. When he is in form he can be sublime, his assists for Dele at Stoke last year were magnificent, as was the way he took his goal away at Emirates Marketing Project. Consistency is his key now, he must find consistency. If he does he has huge potential. I truly hope that he realises it.

Hopefully the extra 2 years will keep him in the £25m bracket when we sell him to Italy next summer.

He wont be going anywhere, he is playing at his level. He isnt good enough for the elite

It's fun reading back through this thread

 

[Bedfordspurs]

It's fun reading back through this thread

People have options and sometimes they get them wrong

I was really critical of lamella and changed my option as he got better

Similarly im of the view having seen Jansenn play last season I believe he could be a success for us given time

I also was a fan of sissoko who I now believe is utter gash... so I've changed my option there

 

[milo]

People have options and sometimes they get them wrong

I was really critical of lamella and changed my option as he got better

Similarly im of the view having seen Jansenn play last season I believe he could be a success for us given time

I also was a fan of sissoko who I now believe is utter gash... so I've changed my option there

I think that it is common mistake for people to write players off based on a poor patch of form.

 

[Spur of the moment]

I think that it is common mistake for people to write players off based on a poor patch of form.

'Twas ever thus.

 

[Libero]

We don't have to play money ball but I think if we can get Zaha/Tielemans and Barkley to replace sissoko and nkoudou we would have a team that have serious options.

With Lamela coming back I think we would have enough about us should Eriksen lose form etc.

I personally would go with getting Zaha/Demarai Gray + Meyer from Schalke. Those two plus a forward would give us youthful options but players that would I think be really wanting to tap into how Poch coaches and sets the team up. The forward is the tricky part........personally I would go for Lacazette but the price might prohibitive despite him having 2 years left on his deal, especially if we paid the going rate for Zaha.

 

[billyiddo]

We don't have to play money ball but I think if we can get Zaha/Tielemans and Barkley to replace sissoko and nkoudou we would have a team that have serious options.

With Lamela coming back I think we would have enough about us should Eriksen lose form etc.

No need for Barkley, the other two would be good though


No chance we're getting Lacazette as a back up striker