Tottenham were once again thanking the efforts of playmaker Christian Eriksen, with the Londoners scoring late against Sheffield United in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg. The game looked set to be going into extra time, but a quick counter attack saw the Dane put through on goal, and he made no mistake with his finish in the dying minutes of normal time.
The 22-year-old scored twice in a 2-2 draw against the Blades that saw Tottenham into the Capital One Cup final with a 3-2 aggregate scoreline over two legs. His first goal was a curling free kick that deceived the United goalkeeper with reverse swerve, and his brace came following a swift break through the middle, before the Dane finished low via the post after being put through on goal.
It’s been a common occurrence this season with Eriksen striking late in so many games already, and his incredible fitness levels are certainly a factor. The former Ajax man has been covering more ground than his teammates in games, and such incredible stamina means he’s always a threat when the opposition defence are tiring.
But with Eriksen making the headlines nearly every week, how long can Tottenham hold on to him for? Spurs face a difficult task of finishing in the Champions League, with Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool for competition, which could well see the 22-year-old seek pastures anew as he’s sure to be inundated with interest in the summer.
Tottenham’s lack of progress in the Premier League in the last few seasons has meant their star performers continue to be sold to other sides offering them European football and the chance of trophy success. Midfielder Luka Modric joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2012, forward Gareth Bale joined the Spanish outfit in the summer of 2013, and Christian Eriksen could well be next.
He’s been outstanding this season for the Lilywhites, scoring and assisting 11 goals in 24 games in all competitions, while creating 53 chances. Eriksen hasn’t missed a game in the league so far either, with manager Mauricio Pochettino having been somewhat reliant on his individual brilliance.
So how long will he remain at White Hart Lane? Reports are linking the playmaker to Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Manchester City, and Liverpool, but Spurs won’t do any business in January. They know they need to secure a top-four finish to stand a chance at keeping him for another season, but how long can they realistically hold onto him for?
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