MY ACCOUNT
Brentford pulled off a major coup by signing Christian Eriksen in January — and the midfield maestro could be the key to keeping them up.
Back playing at the top level only eight months after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 last summer, the Danish star has been hailed by head coach Thomas Frank as potentially being the Bees’ best-ever signing.
Ahead of this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Leicester, we focus on Eriksen’s importance to the club’s Premier League survival bid.
The ultimate comeback
As Eriksen collapsed shortly before half-time in Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland in Copenhagen, the world watched on in disbelief.
Shock soon turned to overwhelming relief with the news that he had been revived — but a return to the pitch was far from the forefront of anyone’s mind at that point.
However, having had to leave Inter Milan due to Serie A not sanctioning his ICD device, the 109-cap international was back playing just 259 days later.
Comeback stories do not get much more uplifting than this.
Showing his class
Almost as soon as he had come on for his Brentford debut in last month’s 2-0 home loss to Newcastle, Eriksen was exhibiting his exceptional quality.
Spraying passes all across the pitch — including a delightful volleyed through-ball to Ivan Toney — it was like the 30-year-old had never been away.
The West Londoners’ No21 registered his first assist in a 2-0 win against Burnley last time out, adding to the 90 he provided during his six-and-a-half seasons with Tottenham.
Bees boss Frank will certainly be hoping there is more where that came from.
Calming things down
Brentford’s high-intensity style has earned them plenty of plaudits — but while 30 points from 29 games would suggest that it has been successful this term, a calmer approach may also be beneficial.
That is where Eriksen comes in, as he brings a sense of poise to attacking proceedings from his advanced role in Frank’s 4-3-3 set-up.
It may be very early days but the playmaker is averaging a squad-high 13.21 completed passes into the final third per 90 minutes.
Heavy metal football with a touch of easy listening? It could be the crucial combination that gets Brentford over the line this season.
A statement signing
As feel-good as the news that Eriksen was joining Brentford was, it was also an indication of the Bees’ ambition to become an established Premier League outfit.
A statement signing mid-way through the campaign, the club’s relegation rivals will undoubtedly have sat up and taken notice.
In addition to Eriksen’s obvious footballing impact, his new side might also have gained an all-important psychological edge on the teams below them.
The ideal club
Speaking after completing his move to the Brentford Community Stadium, Eriksen revealed that a number of factors influenced his decision to sign.
He said: “I spoke to Thomas [Frank] a few times. I had a good feeling. [Brentford is] in London, for my family, it’s a good place to be.
“They play in the Premier League, for me for the next four or five months [I can] get up to a level and get to show who I am as a football player.
“I think it was the best option and luckily they agreed to it. It’s a perfect mix.”
Eriksen’s contract contains the option to extend his stay for a further year beyond the end of this season — and it would hardly be surprising if the Bees were already trying to ensure that happens.
