Christian Eriksen (Part 3)

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27 Mar 2024

Christian Eriksen (Part 3)

Eriksen made a notable return to the Premier League by signing a six-month contract with Brentford. His debut appearance for the club came on February 26, 2022, as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat against Newcastle United. Remarkably, he replaced Mathias Jensen, who had come on in Eriksen's place during the match in which he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Eriksen made a significant impact upon his return, providing his first assist since the cardiac arrest in a 2–0 victory over Burnley on March 12. His triumphant return continued as he scored his first Premier League goal for Brentford in a historic 4–1 away win against West London rivals Chelsea on April 2, 2022. This victory marked Brentford's first win over Chelsea since 1939, showcasing Eriksen's invaluable contribution to the team.

During the period between Eriksen's debut for Brentford and the end of the season, he demonstrated his creative prowess, ranking among the top creators in the Premier League. Only Kevin De Bruyne and Martin Odegaard created more chances during this time, underscoring Eriksen's enduring quality and impact on the pitch.
Manchester United announced the successful negotiation of a three-year contract with Eriksen. His arrival was eagerly anticipated by fans, marking a significant addition to the squad. Shortly thereafter, on July 28, 2022, it was confirmed that Eriksen would don the number 14 shirt for the club, a number steeped in history at Manchester United.

Eriksen made his much-awaited club debut on August 7, 2022, in a home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, which unfortunately ended in a 2–1 loss for United. Nevertheless, Eriksen quickly showcased his quality by providing his first assist in a memorable 3–1 home league victory over rivals Arsenal, setting up Marcus Rashford's crucial goal. His first goal for the club came in a hard-fought 2–1 away league triumph over Fulham, further endearing him to the United faithful.
Despite facing an ankle injury that ruled him out of the final, Eriksen played a pivotal role in Manchester United's success in the 2022–23 EFL Cup. His contribution was significant, including scoring his first home goal for the club in a decisive 2–0 fourth-round victory over Burnley at Old Trafford. Eriksen's impact on the team's midfield and attacking prowess was evident, solidifying his importance to United's campaign.

Eriksen's journey with the Danish national team began in February 2010 when he received his first senior call-up. His debut came shortly after, in March, during Denmark's friendly against Austria, making him Denmark's fourth youngest full international, a distinction previously held by the legendary Michael Laudrup.
The pinnacle of Eriksen's early international career came when he was named to Denmark's final squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Remarkably, he became the youngest player in the tournament, although Denmark couldn't progress beyond the group stage despite Eriksen's appearances against the Netherlands and Japan.

Eriksen's impact on the national team continued to grow, evident in his performances during key matches. Notably, in a friendly against England in February 2011, despite Denmark's 2–1 loss, Eriksen was named the man of the match, drawing praise from footballing luminaries like Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.
His contributions became increasingly pivotal during Denmark's UEFA Euro 2012 qualification campaign. Eriksen scored his maiden goal for the national team in a qualifier against Iceland, setting a record as the youngest Danish player to score a goal in European qualification.
Leading up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Eriksen played a central role in Denmark's qualification campaign, scoring crucial goals including a memorable hat-trick against the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs. His stellar performances earned him recognition as one of the top players globally from Denmark's national team manager.

At the 2018 World Cup, Eriksen continued to shine, assisting in Denmark's opening victory against Peru and scoring in the subsequent match against Australia. Despite Denmark's elimination in the Round of 16, Eriksen's influence remained undeniable.
Eriksen's impact on the international stage persisted, as demonstrated by his instrumental performance in Denmark's inaugural UEFA Nations League B victory against Wales in 2018, where he scored both goals. His centennial appearance for Denmark in October 2020 was marked by a crucial penalty goal against England, highlighting his enduring significance to the national team.

Eriksen's journey at UEFA Euro 2020 took a dramatic turn on 12 June 2021, during Denmark's opening match against Finland. In a harrowing moment, Eriksen collapsed on the field just before halftime while awaiting a throw-in. Immediate medical attention rushed to his aid, administering CPR and defibrillation on the pitch. The distressing scene led to the suspension of the match.
Thankfully, after urgent medical intervention, Eriksen was stabilized and regained consciousness while being transported to the hospital. Despite the traumatic incident, the match resumed later that evening, with Finland ultimately securing a 1–0 victory. Remarkably, Eriksen was awarded the man of the match accolade by UEFA.

The decision to continue the match drew mixed reactions, with some, including Denmark's manager and team doctor, expressing regret over the continuation. Nevertheless, Eriksen's teammate Martin Braithwaite acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding the decision.
The following day, it was confirmed that Eriksen had suffered a cardiac arrest, evoking comparisons to similar incidents involving professional footballers Fabrice Muamba and Abdelhak Nouri, both of whom faced life-altering consequences. Eriksen's condition stabilized, and he underwent successful surgery to implant a cardioverter-defibrillator device, a necessary precaution following his cardiac episode.

Despite the setback, Eriksen's resilience shone through, as he reassured fans of his well-being through a social media post from the hospital. He was discharged shortly after and reunited with his Danish teammates, who dedicated subsequent victories to him, including a crucial win over Russia that propelled Denmark to the tournament's knockout stages.
Denmark's Euro 2020 journey came to an end in the semi-finals, where they were defeated by England in a hard-fought match at Wembley Stadium. Throughout the tournament, Eriksen's spirit remained an inspiration to his team and fans worldwide, encapsulating the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Described as a classic number ten by the media, Eriksen excels in a free role as an attacking midfielder situated behind the forwards. However, his tactical versatility allows him to adapt to various positions on the pitch. He can function as a central midfielder or mezzala in a 4–3–3 setup, as well as a right winger in a 4–2–3–1 formation. Additionally, he has been deployed on the left flank and occasionally as a second striker.
Eriksen possesses exceptional vision, passing range, crossing accuracy, and set-piece delivery. His creativity, technical prowess, movement, and ability to read the game make him a highly regarded playmaker. He is adept at orchestrating attacking moves, exploiting spaces with his runs, and providing assists to teammates. Despite primarily being right-footed, he exhibits proficiency in striking the ball with power and accuracy from distance, making him a threat in front of goal. Furthermore, he has established himself as a specialist in free kicks.

Given his playing style, nationality, and role, Eriksen has drawn comparisons to his compatriots Michael and Brian Laudrup, who were influential figures during his youth. He has also been likened to Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart, with Francesco Totti cited as an additional source of inspiration for him. Eriksen's intelligence on the pitch, coupled with his work rate and versatile skill set, has cemented his reputation as one of the most influential midfielders in the game.