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Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen looks for a pass during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 1, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen looks for a pass during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 1, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Christian Eriksen 'Has Always Been Happy' at Tottenham, Says Mauricio Pochettino

Rory Marsden
Sep 12, 2019

Mauricio Pochettino has said Christian Eriksen "has always been happy" at Tottenham Hotspur despite strong links to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

The Danish playmaker was linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu for most of the summer after he toldย Danish newspaperย Ekstraย Bladet in June he "would like to try something new"ย (h/t theย Guardian's David Hytner).

However, he remained in north London.

And Pochettino has now said Eriksen was never unhappy despite briefly being left out the first team at the beginning of the new season, perย Husmukh Kerai of Sky Sports:

"He has always been happy here. Of course, everyone has their aims and challenges but I told you before the Arsenal game [on Sept. 1] that he was in the right mind. That's why I selected him.ย He is such an important player for us and one we appreciate a lot.ย He is happy and if he can play, he will. All the decisions will be made on performances."

Keeping hold of Eriksen, 27, is a big boost for Spurs' prospectsย this season because he is one of Pochettino's most important players.

His poise and composure on the ball make him one of the most effective creators in European football:

However, he is now in the final year of his contract, meaning Spurs may end up losing him for free next summer.

The former Ajax man will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs in Europe as early as January.

Per Hytner's report, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was quoting ยฃ130 million for him in the summer, so the club stands to lose out on a huge fee if he does end up leaving for free.

Given Eriksen is in his prime, there will likely be numerous top clubs keeping tabs on him as his contract ticks down.

Spurs will desperately hope they can persuade him to pen a new contract during the course of 2019-20 so they can make some money from his sale next summer.

Pochettino will play a key role in whetherย Eriksenย commits to new terms, and it is clear the manager is ready to reintegrate him back into the side after a summer of uncertainty.

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