Christian Eriksen is unfortunately becoming a rare case of “post-Man Utd glow up” phenomenon failing to take hold, as he has just faced brutal criticism.
When Man Utd released Christian Eriksen, there was acceptance on both sides that it was the right time to part ways.
Eriksen remained immense on the ball, but his presence off the ball was becoming an increasingly major problem in an athletic league.
The Dane joined Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on a free transfer, but the latest criticism he faced will sting even more because it came due to his performance for his country.
Thomas Gravesen tears into Christian Eriksen
Eriksen has always enjoyed his international football travels because it allows him a chance to play a more relaxed role as a No. 10.
With Morten Hjulmand behind him, his defensive responsibilities are lessened, leaving him free to do what he does best – finding his teammates with breathtaking passes.
However, in Denmark’s 2-2 draw against Belarus in the international break, a game where Patrick Dorgu shone, Eriksen’s performance left a lot to be desired.
The pace of the game passed him by, and it wasn’t lost on former Danish footballer Thomas Gravesen, who tore into Eriksen.
He said (via tipsbladet): “What we are witnessing for Christian Eriksen is not enough at this level. You cannot play a match with a midfielder who cannot win the ball, who cannot take the ball, who cannot get the ball up in the spaces where he is a player.
“This must simply be proof enough that Christian Eriksen is a player who should be used in the last minutes of a match until Christian Eriksen finds his own form again. Brian Riemer [Denmark head coach], this must be the clearest proof that Christian Eriksen cannot be used in these matches anymore.”
Man Utd released Eriksen at the right time
What Denmark are witnessing now is what United got a sense of last season itself, especially when Ruben Amorim came in and demands increased.
Eriksen had a purple patch of goalscoring form, and his set-piece deliveries were world-class, but he was a passenger off the ball.
The Premier League was already too intense for him, and the same thing happening at the international level cements his quick decline.
It’s a testament to the player that he even came back from what he came back from and became a major player for club and country, but time takes a toll on everyone.
It’s clear that his best days are far behind him, and he should best be used as a dressing room leader since he’s a model professional on and off the pitch.
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