Towards the end of January, Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen took a big risk. Frustrated with the Denmark national set-up, Eriksen was one of a handful of players to speak out, detailing how bad they thought things were and how things needed to improve.
It was huge news in Denmark, where the media very closely follow Eriksen’s career at Tottenham, and the player’s words were on front pages as well as in big spreads in the sport sections.
Eriksen’s complaints were detailed and varied, but he rounded it off by saying: “In general, I miss a more professional approach to things when we are together in the national team camp.”
There was also the issue of outstanding payments due to internationals, their cut of sponsorships, and whilst that may not mean a great deal to Eriksen on his Tottenham wages, the senior players acted as a group.
It wouldn’t have been a huge shock to see Danish public opinion turn against Eriksen and others, but thankfully for the Tottenham player that didn’t happen. The media being on the side of the players helped, and the DBU has been forced to act.
Ekstra Bladet report on Friday that the DBU have sent a ‘detailed settlement offer’ to the Danish national players association. There’s work going into resolving the situation and building a new relationship for the future, which can hopefully benefit the national team.
With Eriksen used to the ultra professionalism at Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino, Denmark have a lot to live up to.
