Pundit rails at ‘disrespectful’ Eriksen and urges Tottenham to reject return

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has taken a swipe at Christian Eriksen and warned Tottenham not to re-sign the midfielder.

Eriksen, 28, spent six and a half seasons with Spurs before leaving for Inter Milan in January 2020. He left under a cloud after making it clear six months before his departure that he wanted ‘a new challenge’.

The Denmark international was linked with Real Madrid but nothing materialised and he eventually headed to the San Siro. Having been a stalwart for Spurs since 2013, the manner of his exit still rankles with many.

He appeared to ‘down tools’ over the final months of his time in north London. Having been a regular starter for so many years, he was used off the bench in half his appearances.

Eriksen joined the Nerazzurri for a fee of around £16.9m and signed a contract until 2024. But things have not gone to plan in Italy and reports claim he wants a return to Tottenham.

Whelan admitted that he was not impressed with how the playmaker performed during the last few months leading up to his exit. There are a few obstacles to his return and he made his feelings clear on the issue.

“We just need to look at the cloud he left behind him and the way he played and what he gave Tottenham during the remaining time that he had there, which was nothing,” Whelan Football Insider.

“He played at 60 per cent, because he didn’t want to get injured, he wasn’t the same player, he wanted out of the football club – he was a great servant and a fantastic player but you’ve got to look at the way he acted before he left.”

Foxes on the hunt

Spurs are not the only club interested as Leicester City have also been mentioned as possible suitors. However, manager Brendan Rodgers said this week that he would not break the bank to sign anyone in January.

There are also possible problems over the terms of any deal. Inter are thought to favour a permanent switch while the Premier League duo are seeking a loan.

There is no questioning Eriksen’s creative ability but Whelan pulled no punches in his assessment of the situation.

“I wouldn’t touch him with a bargepole, no matter how good he is,” he added. “I think when you leave and you show your character and the person you are, it’s disrespectful to the club and to the players that you’re playing with.”

 

READ MORE: Spurs keen on Napoli defender

The post Pundit rails at ‘disrespectful’ Eriksen and urges Tottenham to reject return appeared first on teamtalk.com.