Christian Eriksen is BACK at the Euros
The Euros are finally underway. Some really good entertainment so far, loads of goals (at least until Sunday evening…) and some great shows from the supporters. Watching footage like this, and this, and this, makes you really disappointed that they spread the last one across the continent and then let Qatar host a World Cup, depriving us of it.
Speaking of the last Euros. It’s been four years since that fateful day at Parken in Copenhagen. Denmark’s first game in the competition was against their Nordic brothers Finland. As Eriksen was about to make contact with the ball in the 42nd minute, he suddenly fell to the ground. There was no contact from an opposing player and the Dane was eerily still as he lay on the ground. His heart stopped and the entire team shielded him from cameras as the medical team first defibrillated and then brought him off the pitch. On Sunday, when Denmark took on Slovenia, he returned to the Euros.
Recovery and Comeback
His recovery took place in Copenhagen. Eriksen was fitted with an ICD, Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator. The machine makes sure this can’t happen again. However, at the time Eriksen was playing for Inter and playing professional football with an ICD is not allowed in Italy. In December, they mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
Still wanting to play, Christian Eriksen set about finding a new club. Considering he’d been out of the game for over a year, was ageing (well… he was 29) and had a serious heart condition, clubs were understandably hesitant. The club that were ultimately willing to take a risk with Eriksen was Brentford FC in the Premier League, who gave him a short term contract until the end of the season. Eriksen joined the London club in January and played 11 games for them.
His return to football was very successful. After half a season at Brentford, in the summer of 2022, Eriksen was out of a contract. After shining at the club, they wanted to keep the Danish midfielder. Eriksen, however, wanted Champions League football. His old club, Tottenham, and coach Antonio Conte showed an interest. That way he’d be able to stay in London.
Manchester United
Ultimately, though, it was Manchester United that secured his signature. Ten Hag had just been signed at the club and his main focus was strengthening the midfield. The Dutchman came from Ajax and although they didn’t cross paths during their times there, the Ajax DNA of Eriksen surely helped. Ten Hag has shown he's keen on Ajax players.
Eriksen had a successful first year at the club, playing 44 games and providing ten assists throughout the season. This season, however, he’s become more and more of a bench player. He’s only played less than half as many minutes as he did in 22/23 and got just two assists in the league.
Back in the Euros
His place in the Danish national team, however, was never in question. The 32 year old is, yet again, the heartbeat of the team, masterfully directing the games from centre mid. In that game on Sunday, his return to the Euros, Eriksen opened the scoring for Denmark when he put 1-0 behind Jan Oblak.
While he’s got a year left on his contract with Manchester United, rumour says they’re looking to move him on this summer. While Italy suited him well and Serie A teams love bringing in players deemed “too old”, it could have been a good option for him, but he can’t play there anymore. Because of the ICD.
So what’s next for Christian Eriksen? Could a return to Ajax or even Denmark be in the cards? Or one of the retirement leagues, MLS or Saudi League? Maybe he’ll see out his contract for another year at Manchester United? There has been a distinct lack of rumours for the Dane. Whatever happens, he’s made one hell of a comeback since that terrible day at Parken.
Football Stories Like This, Twice a Week
Join thousands of subscribers getting The Touchline - a free, twice weekly newsletter with analysis, stories and interviews from the world of football.
