Tottenham need to make an example out of Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen clearly has no interest in playing for Tottenham any longer. Mauricio Pochettino should make sure he doesn’t suit up for Spurs again. 

Somewhat obscured in the aftermath of Heung-min Son’s comical red card at Everton was another shambolic performance by Christian Eriksen. It’s time for Mauricio Pochettino to step up and make an example out of the Danish midfielder.

It’s obvious that Eriksen has no interest in playing for Tottenham any longer. He wasn’t simply bad against the Toffees. His 100 minutes of play was utterly listless. Eriksen did not provide Spurs with any quality or energy in the middle of the pitch.

Some casual observers might view Eriksen’s play this season as someone who is distracted by his contract situation. Any Tottenham fan who has watched him closely can see that it’s something much more sinister. Eriksen is emotionally done with playing for Spurs. His mouth might say otherwise, but his putrid play on the pitch makes it obvious that he’s done with this chapter of his football life.

It’s fair to assume that Eriksen is already looking forward to playing for Real Madrid or some other rich, European club next year. It’s possible he can get his wish via a transfer in January. That’s an issue for Daniel Levy and his brain trust to deal with in the future.

In the immediate, it’s time for Pochettino to pull the plug on Eriksen’s career with Tottenham. It doesn’t matter how many injuries and/or illnesses the club suffers. There’s zero reason to put Eriksen back onto the pitch for Spurs unless he miraculously decides to sign a new deal and apologize to his teammates for his extended period of poor play.

Absent that, he should be sent home. Pochettino shouldn’t even risk sending him to train with the youth. His bad attitude might negatively impact some of the club’s bright, young academy talents. Eriksen shouldn’t be permitted anywhere near any Tottenham player.

Such a harsh banishment would send a real message that no player is going to be bigger than Pochettino’s project at Tottenham. That’s the only way the Argentine gaffer can really get his team back on track this season. He must reign supreme over every player at the club. Any star who can’t deal with that must be jettisoned before they can pollute the collective squad.

It’s time for Pochettino to make a ruthless decision with Eriksen. He’s been the worst player at Tottenham this season. His heart is no longer in North London. There’s no reason for his body to remain there either.