FANS of all Premier League clubs were terrified when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener with Finland this afternoon.
But few fans will have felt as emotional a connection than those of Tottenham Hotspur.
The Dane arrived at Spurs from Ajax on Deadline Day ahead of the 2013-14 season as a hotly-tipped wonderkid.
And it was love at first sight.
Spurs fans immediately knew they had quite the player on their hands when he marked his debut with a sensational effort from long range against Tromso in the Europa League.
And that strike would be followed by many, many more.
Tottenham struggled that season under Andre Villas-Boas and then Tim Sherwood, but Eriksen was a shining light.
With 12 goals and 16 assists he was deservedly awarded the club’s Player of the Season award.
It wouldn’t be his last.
The following season saw Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival, and Eriksen would play a huge part in keeping the Argentine in a job after a difficult start.
Christian Eriksen latest:
– EURO HORROR Eriksen rushed to hospital in ‘stable condition’ after collapsing on pitch
– PLAY ON Christian Eriksen ‘FaceTimes Denmark team-mates from hospital’ and says play-on
– BEEB FURY BBC apologises after fans slam them for not cutting away after Eriksen collapsed
– ‘PLEASE GOD’ Football world prays for Eriksen after Dane collapses and given CPR on pitch
– UNITED IN CARE Touching moment Finland fans give country’s flags to shield stricken Eriksen
– ‘I LOVE YOU’ Watch Lukaku score for Belgium and dedicate goal to Inter team-mate Eriksen
Dramatic last minute winners against Hull and Swansea secured precious results for the Lilywhites – as Pochettino built the foundations of his Spurs side with Eriksen at the heart of it.
Fans quickly had a catchy chant for their ‘No23’, referring to him as ‘Danish dynamite’ – while comparing him rather favourably towards Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.
His next development was to become the ice-cool brain of the side, pulling the strings and orchestrating moves from midfield – while still notching a healthy number of goals and assists.
As Eriksen got better, so did Spurs.
He produced another terrific season in 2015-16, laying on 16 assists as Spurs came third – qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2010.
Spurs fans’ love for him grew to even greater heights on Valentine’s Day 2016, as he gifted them by scoring the winner against Manchester City at the Etihad.
He earned his second Player of the Year award the following season, firmly cementing himself as one the world’s very best creative midfielders – scoring 12 goals and delivering an astonishing 24 assists.
Another solid personal campaign followed in 2017-18, including a stunning breakaway goal that put Spurs 3-0 up against Real Madrid under the Wembley arch.
The following season was his ‘Last Dance’ at Spurs, as his glittering spell with the club began to reach its climax.
As Pochettino’s empire began to crumble amid a lack of squad investment and many key players reaching the end of their peaks, Eriksen kept delivering for Spurs.
He played in every minute of Tottenham’s Champions League quarter-final and semi-final victories – as the North Londoners somehow reached the biggest match in club football.
It wasn’t to be in Madrid against Liverpool, with Eriksen’s Spurs career not quite getting the finish it deserved.
After a summer of speculation, Spurs’ No23 stayed put, although became more of a peripheral figure as his contract wound towards its end.
He did manage a North London derby goal, before leaving for Inter Milan in January 2020 – leaving a hole that Spurs have not yet managed to adequately fill.
Eriksen brought his stardust to Inter, overcoming a difficult start to life in Italy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He deservedly got his hands on significant silverware, playing a big role as Inter stormed to the Serie A title.
His collapse during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener sparked fear across the globe over what had happened.
But thankfully the world was relieved as Eriksen was stabilised and taken to hospital – with the brave star even FaceTiming his team-mates and telling them to carry on as he ‘felt better’.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
