Everton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 Talking Points | Premier League 2019-20

#4 How much longer can Spurs afford to carry Eriksen?

Christian Eriksen was once again a peripheral figure for Tottenham

The question of Christian Eriksen and his role at Tottenham is one that’s been asked ever since the summer, as the Danish international has refused to sign a new deal at Spurs and is thus heading towards the end of his current deal in the summer of 2020.

The beginning of the season saw Mauricio Pochettino start some games without Eriksen, but most fans suggested that the side lacked creativity without him, and since then he’s largely been restored.

To what end, though? During today’s game, Eriksen was almost completely anonymous, and was yet again guilty of sloppy passes and a failure to press the ball when the opposition were in possession.

Sure, other Tottenham players didn’t have great games either – Heung-min Son, Dele Alli and Lucas Moura also struggled – but Eriksen has been struggling for what feels like months now.

With Giovani Lo Celso now regaining fitness – he appeared today from the bench for the second week in a row – and Erik Lamela fantastic in a creative role in Spurs’ recent Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade, you have to question how much longer Tottenham can carry the Dane in their starting XI.

To me he seems like a player who’s already mentally checked out of the club – and if that is the case then Pochettino probably needs to check out on him, too.