Player Focus: Christian Eriksen Fulfilling his Potential for Spurs

Christian Eriksen can be indirectly attributed with the assist for Harry Kane’s opener in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Burnley on Saturday. Michael Keane had just been penalised for a contentious handball and Kane, who wanted to instantly re-start play, took a quick free kick. He spotted Eriksen who, unbeknownst to Kane, was stood in an offside position. However, the Dane remained static and left the ball alone, thus not interfering with play. 

Nacer Chadli was the quickest to react and the rest, as they say, is history. Erik Lamela may have won the plaudits on account of his sumptuous curling effort to win Spurs the game, but it was yet another impressive showing from Eriksen, who was unlucky not to directly contribute to a Spurs goal. The 22-year-old played 8 key passes in the victory over Burnley; no player has played more in a single Premier League match this season. 

Among the 7 players signed prior to Gareth Bale’s record-breaking move to Real Madrid two summers ago, Eriksen has been the very best of what conspired to be a bad bunch. Chadli and Lamela have shown glimpses of their quality having finally settled in north London, but neither have performed to the standard of the former Ajax star. Of all Spurs players, Eriksen’s WhoScored rating (7.30) is the best in England’s top tier this campaign. 

Eriksen has firmly established himself as a key member in the starting XI at White Hart Lane. This season, the Denmark international has directly contributed to 7 of their 22 league goals, while his 6 goals from 17 league appearances is just 1 fewer than his 7 from the whole of last term. Against an out-of-sorts Leicester side on Boxing Day, one would not bet against the attacker reaching last season's goal return when Spurs travel to the King Power Stadium on Friday. 

While Eriksen has registered just 1 assist this term - that coming against Swansea - it’s not without trying. He has played more key passes (42) than any other Spurs player this season, with Lamela (28) closest to matching that. It’s surely only a matter of time before his assist return rises. 

There was the concern that Eriksen would perhaps fall by the wayside under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. While he was handed something of a free role under Tim Sherwood, Pochettino’s attention to detail and high pressing game meant Eriksen needed to do more off the ball rather than rely on his teammates to win possession back from the opposition. Pochettino has proven he has no time for players who are not willing to pull their weight for the good of the team. 
 
Take for example Gastón Ramirez. The Uruguayan joined Southampton for £12m in August 2012 when Nigel Adkins was in charge, but saw his playing time limited under Pochettino. Much of this was due to his reluctance to buy into Pochettino’s high pressing game and it was little surprise to see Ramirez make only 5 league starts for Saints last season. Any qualms over whether Eriksen would suit his Argentine manager’s game plan, however, have been quickly dismissed. 
 
On Saturday, in particular, whenever Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton was on the ball, Eriksen was often the first to close him down. Eriksen is clearly adhering to his manager’s demands - he has won possession more times in the attacking third than any other Spurs player has this campaign (11). 
 
With the opposition defence caught out of position, this helps Eriksen when it comes to creating chances, though there is an argument to be made that there is room for improvement in this side of his game. While Eriksen is Spurs' creator in chief, on a number of occasions this season the goalscoring opportunities forged could have been of a higher standard. For example, in the second half of the win over Burnley, Spurs were counter-attacking through Eriksen on the left. He crossed for Kane, but overhit his pass where a better player would have found the striker. Nevertheless, at such a young age, this is one aspect of his game that will develop with time.

However, it is his goalscoring exploits that have really caught the eye this term. With Pochettino’s system implemented, fitness levels have increased, as Eriksen explained after the 2-1 win over Swansea earlier this month, where he provided the assist for Kane’s opener and then bagged a late winner.

The timing of Spurs’ goals this season have been a testament to their improved fitness levels - 5 of their 22 league goals have been scored from the 84th minute onwards, 2 of which have been scored by Eriksen. Without Eriksen's creative and goalscoring exploits this season, Spurs would have 10 fewer points and sit 2 points above the relegation zone rather than 4 points off 4th. 

Clearly, Pochettino has challenged Eriksen to chance his luck in front of goal more frequently, emphasised in that he is averaging more shots per game in the Premier League this season (2.9) than last (1.9). Managerial instability hindered his initial impact last term, but under his new boss, Eriksen is fulfilling his potential at White Hart Lane.

If Spurs do achieve their aim and secure a top 4 place this season, chances are Eriksen will have played a key role. The north London side harbour Champions League aspirations and the Dane's performances this campaign suggests this is a competition he has earned the right to be playing in.

It was originally published on 'WhoScored’ blog here.