Outlining a Tottenham Defence for Christian Eriksen After Denmark Criticism

Denmark fell to a late defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in European Championship qualifying on Tuesday. 

Following the 1-0 loss, coach Morten Olsen took aim at star player Christian Eriksen's performance, saying "we blame him. He must stand up to the criticism, and he does too." Eriksen admitted after the match to Danish newspaper Bold that he was unable to leave his mark on the match (h/t International Business Times).

Eriksen failed to influence Denmark's performance as they suffered a disappointing defeat. They could have retained control of their qualification group with a victory, but Ronaldo's 95th-minute winner dented those hopes. 

Olsen suggested that Eriksen has failed to improve during his time at Tottenham. Having made the move from Ajax to England, it was expected that Eriksen would reach another level. "After so many matches he could pick up the ball and help to control the game. He has not been able to," said Olsen, via the above Daily Mail article.

Eriksen's national team boss was critical of Eriksen's touch and control against Portugal. Eriksen lost the ball several times, and Olsen deemed his performance unacceptable, saying (via Squawka) "it should not take place. He must not make the mistake, it is sloppiness."

Three years ago, Eriksen led Denmark in a fantastic individual performance in 2011. England won the game in Copenhagen, but Eriksen won the plaudits, outshining Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere. 

It is harsh and simply untrue for Denmark's manager to suggest that Eriksen has not developed his game since joining Spurs last summer. While he initially struggled to break in to the team, he was clearly Spurs' best player by the end of the season. Despite Tottenham routinely entering matches with no discernible game plan, Eriksen consistently found a way to influence the result. 

According to WhoScored.com, no other player in the Premier League has made more assists than Eriksen in 2014.

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Christian Eriksen: Has picked up the joint-most assists (7) in the Premier League in 2014

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 14, 2014"

Sports Illustrated observed that Eriksen is one of Spurs' 2013 signings that has flourished this season. 

StatsBomb, citing Opta, claim that Eriksen is the equal most important attacker for any Premier League team with Manchester United's Angel Di Maria. 

The statistics buck Olsen's argument that Eriksen has failed to grow as a player, but to be fair to the Denmark boss, he was clearly trying to motivate his best player to reach greater heights. He also conceded that Eriksen, per Squawka, "had a fantastic season for Tottenham last year."

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Olsen's criticism does point to a broader truth. In his first season in England, it was Eriksen's brilliant skill that enabled him to score and create goals and ultimately win matches for Tottenham. He was not asked to work particularly hard without the ball.

At the start of this season, Eriksen admitted that the level of competition in England was far higher than he was used to at former club Ajax. He told the Daily Mail, "It got harder and harder, so I think I impressed myself. We had some pretty dark days."

Eriksen has had trouble reaching his best form for Spurs this season. Adjusting to a different formation and a more responsible role has taken its toll on his contribution. 

Mauricio Pochettino demands total sacrifice from his players, and that approach was always likely to test Eriksen. If the Dane fails to contribute in a defensive sense, he will not find a place in a Pochettino team.

Last season, Eriksen was quoted as saying, per football365.com, "I'm not a player to defend or run around, I want the ball." He enjoyed a mixed pre-season, and it seemed as though he might be the player to be sacrificed for Pochettino's favoured formation. 

Ian Walton/Getty Images

HereIsTheCity.com observes that Eriksen has been below the Premier League average for interceptions and duels won, while he is above the average for losing possession. 

Those numbers would make worrying reading for Pochettino.

Happily, as Football365.com points out, his contribution to the opening goal against Arsenal will have thrilled his manager and validated his place in the team. 

Eriksen pressed Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, won the ball and found teammate Erik Lamela. Lamela slipped a pass to Nacer Chadli, and the Belgian scored. 

It was notable throughout the north London derby that Pochettino took virtually every break in play to vehemently instruct Eriksen face-to-face.

Clearly, despite a rocky start to this season, Eriksen is learning. He has been forced to work much harder without the ball. It would be foolish for Pochettino to try to convert Eriksen into a combative all-action midfielder, but Pochettino is insistent that his playmaker contribute on both sides of the ball. 

Eriksen's work-rate impressed Emmanuel Adebayor in pre-season. The Togolese spoke in glowing terms about his impressive young teammate to the club's official website, per the Daily Express.  

Eriksen himself admits that he has had much to learn this season. He told Danish newspaper Politiken (h/t Total Football Madness) that "I certainly feel more fit now than a month ago. I know what the coach is expecting from me."

He scored the only goal as Spurs beat Southampton to break an uncomfortably long winless run. 

It is easy to forget that despite his 47 international caps, Eriksen is only 22 years old. He admitted that his move to Spurs was part of his development process. He told the Mirror in 2013 that he had much to learn in England.

Already this season, it is clear that Eriksen has developed and become a more-rounded player. Brilliantly talented, Eriksen could coast on his skill, but his willingness to respond to Pochettino's challenge and develop as a player demonstrates just how good he will be.

Morten Olsen evidently recognises his quality. His criticism was likely aimed at sparking a reaction. Just like Mauricio Pochettino, Olsen is trying to make Eriksen reach his staggering potential.