One to Watch – Christian Eriksen

Name: Christian Eriksen

Date of Birth: 14/2/1992

Nationality: Denmark

Former Clubs: Odense BK, Ajax

League Appearances (Goals): 162 (31)

International Appearances (Goals): 44 (5)

Stat of the Day: Christian Eriksen created 138 chances in the 2012/2013 season -more than any other player in the top 5 European Leagues

Player Profile: Christian Eriksen arrived at White Hart Lane along with over £100 million worth of footballing talent at the beginning of last season and whilst the likes of Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli scrapped to appear in the list of top 10 Premier League flops, the diminutive Dane automatically soared into the roster of top 10 Premier League playmakers with a series of brilliant debut performances. Having honed his creativity and style under Frank de Boer at the football factory of Ajax`s youth system the 22-year-old has risen up the football ladder with admirable ease, becoming the centrepiece for his national side, Denmark, as well as intensifying his reputation across world football.

It is clear England`s top clubs are scrambling to secure players to fill the ‘No 10` role in their starting eleven; the creative specialists in vogue due to a shortage of centre forwards in the game. Eriksen fits the bill perfectly with his ability to see and execute eye-of-the-needle passes and with his added set-piece adeptness provides another dimension to his side`s game. Europe`s major clubs flocked to offer the Dane lucrative contracts when he burst onto the scene at the age of just 17 and Martin Jol talked about him in the same breath as Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart, but the pocket-sized midfielder`s decision to ply his trade at Ajax has stood him in good stead for the future of his career. When Spurs fail to achieve European qualification this campaign expect to see an exciting bidding war from a host of European giants next summer.

Playing Career:

Christian Eriksen was born in Denmark and came to the fore at Danish side Odense BK putting in a series of impressive performances at the Danish Youth Championships, often in teams a couple of years ahead of his age group. European clubs came calling for the talented youngster and Eriksen decided to move to Amsterdam-based side Ajax in 2008.

He was promoted to the first team a mere two years later, having made his way through the youth teams, and had played in 21 competitive matches, as well as making his international debut, at the end of his first professional season. His breakthrough season came the following year as he finished 2011 with numerous goals and assists to his name as well as earning the accolade of Dutch Football Talent of the Year.
His impressive form continued and he became an integral part of the Ajax side that won three consecutive Eredivisie titles from 2011-2013.

His reputation continued to blossom and having decided not to renew his contract with the Dutch side, he decided to join Tottenham in 2013 in a deal believed to be worth £11 million. His first season in the Premier League finished with 7 goals and 9 assists.