Christian Eriksen came under fire after Denmarks late defeat to Portugal. Boss Morten Olsen blames the Spurs star for not doing enough for the Danish side.
Eriksen has impressed everyone since leaving Ajax Amsterdam for Tottenham Hotspur and the English capital. In Holland, he was one of the best players, and he has managed to keep the same standard in England. However, it seems that Eriksen leaves behind the great form in his club when he joins Denmark for international duty.
Denmark boss Olsen slammed Eriksen for Denmarks late defeat to Portugal by saying:
"After so many matches he could pick up the ball and help to control the game. He has not been able to.
“Therefore, we blame him. He must stand up to the criticism, and he does too.”
And Morten Olsen is right. Christian Eriksen has not impressed for the Denmark team for a long time. The Danish fans have only seen five goals in 48 matches from Eriksen; not impressing for an attack-minded player. However, Olsen has used Eriksen on both wings as well, and when it comes to it, the talent is best as an attacking midfield.
Furthermore, Eriksen is not allowed the same freedom on the Denmark side as he is in Spurs where he has a more free role. After playing the same 4-2-3-1 formation for a decade, Olsen changed it to a 4-4-2 for the Portugal match. None the less did it help; Eriksen was still locked and not given the freedom he needs to perform as he does for his club in England.
But is Olsen right to blame Eriksen for his poor display? Partly. As Olsen said on today's press conference:
“It is quite something when you have to criticize a player like Christian Eriksen. It should not take place.
“If it was a player at a lower level, one could say that he had no class. But with Christian Eriksen do not make the mistake. I must be tough and say to him. And he knows it well.”
But, Olsen needs to realise that Eriksen has to get a more free role if he is to perform at the same level as in Tottenham. Until then, the Danish fans will only see half of what the Spurs star is capable of.
