Why Christian Eriksen Deserves More Recognition as Premier League’s Elite Playmaker
As Tottenham prepare for their crucial London derby against West Ham this weekend, Crickex takes an in-depth look at Christian Eriksen‘s remarkable contributions that often fly under the radar. The Danish midfielder has quietly established himself as one of Europe’s most consistent creators, yet rarely receives the plaudits afforded to flashier contemporaries.
The Engine of Tottenham’s Attack
Since joining Spurs in 2013, Eriksen has been the creative heartbeat of Mauricio Pochettino’s evolving side. His durability is remarkable – completing over 11,653 minutes of Premier League football while maintaining elite performance levels. Last season alone, the Dane covered 431km (equivalent to 10 marathons), trailing only Gylfi Sigurdsson in distance covered.
What makes Eriksen truly special is his year-on-year improvement in chance creation:
- 2013/14: 7th in Premier League chances created
- 2014/15: 6th
- 2015/16: 4th
- 2016/17: 1st (112 chances created)
Statistical Dominance Across Europe
Eriksen‘s 2016/17 campaign placed him among Europe’s absolute elite:
Top 5 Chance Creators in Europe’s Big 5 Leagues (2016/17)
| Player | Chances Created |
|---|---|
| Ryad Boudebouz | 117 |
| Dimitri Payet | 113 |
| Christian Eriksen | 112 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 103 |
| Mesut Özil | 100 |
Top 5 Assist Providers in Europe’s Big 5 Leagues (2016/17)
| Player | Assists |
|---|---|
| Emil Forsberg | 19 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 18 |
| Christian Eriksen | 15 |
| Morgan Sanson | 14 |
| Gylfi Sigurdsson | 13 |
These numbers become even more impressive when considering Eriksen‘s direct contribution to Tottenham’s league-high 86 goals – involved in more than 25% (8 goals, 15 assists).
The Complete Attacking Package
Eriksen‘s radar graph compared to average Premier League midfielders reveals his all-round attacking threat:
Key strengths include:
- More than double the goals of average midfielders
- Exceptional long-range shooting
- Three times more likely to create chances from set pieces
- Twice as likely to create from open play
Why Doesn’t Eriksen Get the Recognition He Deserves?
Former England midfielder Jamie Carragger once remarked: “If Eriksen played for one of the traditional ‘big clubs’, he’d be spoken about in the same breath as De Bruyne and Silva.” There’s truth in this – his understated style and lack of flashy celebrations mean he often gets overlooked.
As Crickex tactical analyst Mark Thompson notes: “Eriksen’s genius lies in his efficiency. He doesn’t need 10 stepovers to beat a man – his movement and passing do the damage before defenders realize what’s happened.”
What Makes Eriksen Special?
- Positional Intelligence: Heat maps show his preference for right-central attacking areas, but he constantly rotates to create overloads.His movement dictates Tottenham’s attacking patterns
- Partnership Chemistry: Last season’s 448 passing combinations with Kyle Walker showed his understanding of space, though he’s adapted well to Walker’s departure.
- Set-Piece Mastery: 30% of his chances created come from dead-ball situations, making him one of Europe’s most dangerous set-piece takers.
The Road Ahead
As Tottenham face West Ham, Eriksen stands on the verge of becoming the Premier League’s all-time top Danish goalscorer – needing just one goal to surpass Nicklas Bendtner’s 32. Given his current form (2 assists and 1 goal already this season), it seems only a matter of time.
Crickex verdict? While names like De Bruyne and Özil dominate the playmaker discourse, Eriksen’s consistent excellence makes him arguably the Premier League’s most complete creative force. His ability to influence games through multiple channels – goals, assists, chance creation and intelligent movement – makes him indispensable to Tottenham’s ambitions.
For fans seeking deeper tactical insights into the Premier League’s most underrated stars, stay tuned to Crickex for more exclusive analysis. Who do you think is the league’s best creator? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
