Thought to be lost to football after coming close to death in a Euros match between Denmark and Finland, but Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen made an almost unexpected comeback by signing for Brentford on Monday .
terrible pictures
If the last day of a winter transfer window is often rich in emotions, there will be none more beautiful this year than this freelance which is limited for the time being to the end of the 2021-2022 season. .
The terrible images of the player lying on the lawn on June 12 and receiving resuscitation care have not yet been erased from memories that football is already reclaiming its rights with Eriksen’s crazy dream of being at the 2022 World Cup. .
Cardiac defibrillator and football? Incompatible for Inter Milan
The installation of a cardiac defibrillator forced him to terminate his contract with Inter Milan, this type of device being considered in Italy incompatible with the practice of professional football. But at 29, the attacking midfielder, with his silky technique and ever-honed sense of the game, had too much to give to leave it at that.
The candidates for his arrival were not lacking. Eriksen had mentioned a return to the country and to the club of his debut, Odense. He then “tested” himself at a higher level by training with Ajax Amsterdam, where he revealed himself between 2010 and 2013.
But it is finally in the Premier League that his new life as a professional footballer will resume its course, in a championship where he was unanimous during the good years of Tottenham version Mauricio Pochettino (2013-2020), familiar with the continental summits, with a Champions League final lost in 2019.
Enthusiastic and emotional reactions
The news provoked a series of enthusiastic and emotional reactions. “I’m happy that Christian has found a place where he wants to play, so he can get back to work and take the next steps,” coach Kasper Hjulmand told Ritzau.
In a tweet, the Danish federation also congratulated the midfielder. “We look forward to seeing you again on the field and in matches,” she slipped to him.
Even his former club, Tottenham, with whom the end of the adventure had been bittersweet, split a sympathetic “it feels good to see you again in the Premier League, Christian”, while Inter him wished “good luck for (his) new adventure!”.
Brentford, the most Danish of English clubs
The choice of Brentford may seem surprising to an untrained eye, the promoted club currently struggling, with 4 defeats in a row and a 14th place with 8 points ahead of the red zone.
But the London club is owned by Matthew Benham, a man who loves betting – he founded sports betting company SmartOdds – and who also owns Danish club Midtjylland. There is also already a lot of Danish spoken in Brentford.
Coach Thomas Frank previously managed Eriksen when he was in charge of the Danish national under-17 team, and the squad includes some internationals like goalkeeper Jonas Lössl, Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jorgensen and Mathias Jensen.
In addition, the offensive and spectacular game practiced by the “Bees” should allow Eriksen to quickly blend into his new environment.
“We have taken the incredible opportunity to bring a world-class player to Brentford”, welcomed Thomas Frank, who however warned that if the player “is in good shape (…), he still has to work to be able to play. a match”.
“When he’s on top, Christian can dictate the tempo of a match. He can find the right passes and he’s a threat in front of goal too,” said his future coach.