ICYMI: We like Christian Eriksen so we are a bit scared about him joining Manchester United, because they do terrible things to a chap. JohnnyTheNic
. It can only be hoped that they don’t make him significantly worse than he actually is, like pretty much every player in recent years.Before his dramatic on-pitch collapse, Christian always had a lot of fans. At Spurs he brought a lot of class to the side from that progressive midfield position. There is a special place in fans’ hearts for the player who is the progressive midfield fulcrum tasked with making the pass that leads to a goal.
Operating through the centre at the top of a diamond, or from wide on either side whipping crosses in, to watch him in full flight is to see a player who doesn’t even have to think about controlling the ball. Where some have to take two or three touches, he, seemingly without even trying, nails it immediately. I love that.
On top of this, he can score some absolutely cracking dipping long-range strikes whether from dead ball situations or in open play. He’s actually scored 110 club goals in 538 games, which is a decent return, as is 38 in 115 international games. However, to see anyone collapse and almost lose his grip on life itself, who was gone to the rainbow bridge for five minutes, is a profoundly upsetting thing for everyone to see. As Christian himself acknowledged he knew nothing about it, it was everyone else who were terrified. For a moment it seemed like he was gone. Then when he recovered consciousness after CPR, it seemed impossible he would ever play football again.
A rare sort of footballer playing a role few can play as well is a great thing in itself, but the collapse has made the whole of the football family, fans, players and everyone else, feel warmly towards him just for surviving, as much as for being a fabulous footballer.