Christian Eriksen’s Tottenham contract renewal dragged out so long that everything which could be claimed was claimed.
Eriksen wanted too much money, Tottenham weren’t offering a fair amount, there were other clubs interested. Blah, blah, blah… as Mino Raiola may say.
Maurcio Pochettino recently, in response to questions about Eriksen’s perceived quieter period, said that the whole contract issue, and the reporting of it, may have been a distraction for the player.
If that was a way to somehow protect Eriksen from accusations of playing under-par then the Danish international has made it clear he doesn’t need excuses. Speaking to Denmark’s BT, Eriksen explained:
“It’s not how I saw it personally, but you of course can always find a reason if you have played a less good game. There is always a reason, but it was unrelated. It took up a lot of course, but when he (Pochettino) is asked the question in press conferences every time, I can imagine that you will have to answer it at some time.”
Rather than his football being damaged by the contract talks, Pochettino feels the press themselves were far more bothered about the situation than even he was.
“I believe it has more consumed you. There has been more focus from the outside, I haven’t even focused on it. I have always wanted to extend, so there was no greater urgency in it for me or the club. Of course it is nice, as there is something new to talk about when we need to talk to you.
“It was just a contract extension. I would like to extend, the club would like to extend. There was not anything special in it, but maybe it was just the writing-up (of the contract), which meant that it took longer than it should.”
Eriksen usually finds himself questioned on international duty about why his great Tottenham form isn’t transferred to the national team, for just once perhaps the situation will turn on its head.
