Christian Eriksen

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Back to Eriksen, I think he's a cracking player. Sadly his best position is slightly too high up the pitch for our liking, but he's able to play in a more central role, as he had done for large portions of last season in order to accommodate Viktor Fischer into the first XI.

The thing that I really like about him is his intelligence, both on and off the field. People saying that he hasn't got the discipline to play wholly in a more central role, but if any attacking midfielder is going to be able to play in a more defensive role then it's this lad. He's a decent height, strong with both feet, reads the game well and has a great eye for a pass. But it's his intelligence that I feel would allow him to become accustomed to a new role.
 
Jaybezia said:
Without being rude, do you understand what is a sweeping statement is? It's very SET in stone in your words, if you said 'For me, currently Coutinho is a better player than Erikson and has the potential IMO to become on par with Kag...', but even then I think you'll find that most disagree, I would place Erikson above Coutinho to date, I can't see how you can argue otherwise when you look at the calibre of the leagues they play in etc
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Do I have to type 'imo' in every post? It's obviously my opinion and not set in stone

Caliber of the leagues?? Coutinho was fantastic in the La Liga on loan for Espanyol and has been very good Liverpool since joining in the premier league. That's two of the best leagues in the world where as Eriksen has done it in the Eredivisie
 
All I've said really is that I think he has more ability, and due to his age I reckon there is a good chance he will become better than Kagawa. I agree that Shinji is better now, but from having seen Coutinho at Inter, Espanol and Liverpool - I believe he is more gifted than both Kagawa and Erikson.

It's not that big of a deal either. Januzaj is probably more gifted than Cleverley, as is Ravel Morrison. This does not mean they are 'better players'. Coutinho and Kagawa both moved to England last season, and I saw little in their respective PL careers to evidence Shinji is and will always be levels above.
 
Swaters16 said:
I'm on record: Kagawa is a superior player in every respect to Coutinho. Kagawa is not only currently better but will always be consistently better. Eriksen is also currently better and will most likely be the better player throughout their careers.
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Agree on all fronts. Right now, it goes Kagawa>Eriksen>Coutinho, and in the future I expect it to be Kagawa>Eriksen>Coutinho.

Jaybezia said:
That's a sweeping statement if ever I seen one.
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No, it's a prediction about the future. And I think he's making a good one there. 'Sweeping statement' means a broad generalisation, it's got nothing to do with what he said.
 
Brightonian said:
Agree on all fronts. Right now, it goes Kagawa>Eriksen>Coutinho, and in the future I expect it to be Kagawa>Eriksen>Coutinho.



No, it's a prediction about the future. And I think he's making a good one there. 'Sweeping statement' means a broad generalisation, it's got nothing to do with what he said.
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A prediction is a guess...

Kagawa is not only currently better but will always be consistently better
That is a sweeping statement... or, if you prefer I reword, it's a very bold claim leaving no room for 'I think' or 'should be', not that I even disagreed with him btw.
 
Jaybezia said:
A prediction is a guess...

Kagawa is not only currently better but will always be consistently better
That is a sweeping statement... or, if you prefer I reword, it's a very bold claim leaving no room for 'I think' or 'should be', not that I even disagreed with him btw.
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I agree that it's a bold claim. I think it's obvious that he's expressing an opinion, though, and shouldn't need to put 'I think' before it.
 
Coutinho turned 21 last month. Pretty sure Shinji was playing in the Japanese second at such an age. Given the level of natural ability Coutinho has, it would be foolish to say that beyond doubt, he will never surpass Shinji. For me, he showed just as much as Kagawa last season in the Prem, and it seems like typical caf/biased logic to expect Shinji to improve significantly but not Coutinho, who was only 20 last season.

For me, if all three players fulfilled their maximum potential, I'd guess Coutinho will be the best. This is a plyer who was playing regularly for the European Champions at 18.
 
Rozay said:
Coutinho turned 21 last month. Pretty sure Shinji was playing in the Japanese second at such an age. Given the level of natural ability Coutinho has, it would be foolish to say that beyond doubt, he will never surpass Shinji. For me, he showed just as much as Kagawa last season in the Prem, and it seems like typical caf/biased logic to expect Shinji to improve significantly but not Coutinho, who was only 20 last season.

For me, if all three players fulfilled their maximum potential, I'd guess Coutinho will be the best. This is a plyer who was playing regularly for the European Champions at 18.
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Your logic will not work here. Its best if you leave it. And you'd definitley better stay out of the Welbeck vs Sturridge thread. :)
 
Rozay said:
Coutinho turned 21 last month. Pretty sure Shinji was playing in the Japanese second at such an age. Given the level of natural ability Coutinho has, it would be foolish to say that beyond doubt, he will never surpass Shinji. For me, he showed just as much as Kagawa last season in the Prem, and it seems like typical caf/biased logic to expect Shinji to improve significantly but not Coutinho, who was only 20 last season.

For me, if all three players fulfilled their maximum potential, I'd guess Coutinho will be the best. This is a plyer who was playing regularly for the European Champions at 18.
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I don't get why people are dismissing Coutinho so quickly (That's a lie, it's obvious why), from what he's shown so far he's a very very tidy player.
 
Coutinho is a really good player. But, Kagawa was the centre-piece to a Dortmund team that won the league twice and was playing at a higher level than players like Ozil, for example. In comparison, Coutinho hasn't done anything, but he does have a lot of talent - really nice close control, good awareness and good passing. Could he become as good as or better than Kagawa? Maybe.

Is he as good as or better than Eriksen right now? Definitely not.
 
Andrew~ said:
Coutinho is a really good player. But, Kagawa was the centre-piece to a Dortmund team that won the league twice and was playing at a higher level than players like Ozil, for example. In comparison, Coutinho hasn't done anything, but he does have a lot of talent - really nice close control, good awareness and good passing. Could he become as good as or better than Kagawa? Maybe.

Is he as good as or better than Eriksen right now? Definitely not.
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Coutinho has now played in the PL and Serie A, two league that are on a lot higher level than the Dutch. I'd say Eriksen has more to prove right now than Coutinho.
 
IrishLegend said:
Coutinho has now played in the PL and Serie A, two league that are on a lot higher level than the Dutch. I'd say Eriksen has more to prove right now than Coutinho.
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Also was one of Espanyol's best player in la Liga.
 
IrishLegend said:
Coutinho has now played in the PL and Serie A, two league that are on a lot higher level than the Dutch. I'd say Eriksen has more to prove right now than Coutinho.
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I don't agree with this because Eriksen's performances at international level (in an otherwise weak Danish team) and the Champions League last season particularly stand out. In my opinion Eriksen is about a level below Kagawa and Ozil, but he's still only 21 too. I think when it comes to things like close control, he might not be as good as Coutinho, but his football intelligence is ridiculous.

I've seen more of Eriksen against top level opposition than Coutinho, and he usually stands out. Who will be better? I can't say, but right now, Eriksen is a superior player by some distance.
 
Andrew~ said:
I don't agree with this because Eriksen's performances at international level (in an otherwise weak Danish team) and the Champions League last season particularly stand out. In my opinion Eriksen is about a level below Kagawa and Ozil, but he's still only 21 too. I think when it comes to things like close control, he might not be as good as Coutinho, but his football intelligence is ridiculous.

I've seen more of Eriksen against top level opposition than Coutinho, and he usually stands out. Who will be better? I can't say, but right now, Eriksen is a superior player by some distance.
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Stop it. Please. I am a Dane, and as such contractually obliged to adore The New Laudrup™, but he doesn't deliver for Denmark. And generally, he is a fragile lead who doesn't seem to respond well to pressure.

Coutinho has proven loads more than Eriksen in better leagues.

Comparing Kagawa offhand with Ozil is ridiculous. It doesn't matter that Kagawa had a very good but somewhat overrated by mancs season in Germany that Ozil didn't stand out from when he was there. He has since then been ripping it up for Real after joining a better side where Kagawa has struggled. Ozil is clearly levels above.

Eriksen is basically looking for a club that will give him regular game time in his favoured position, but also prepared to accept that he will have bad periods like a youngster and need to improve lots of facets of his game. And still get gametime. What he needs is an Ajax playing at a higher level and there aren't many teams around with a whole in the first XI willing to pay that for what is most likely a long term project.

I do think Eriksen is probably the most talented of the three. But he is also the one who seems to have the hardest work ahead of him to make the most of his talent.
 
I'm glad we have so many Ajax experts.

Coutinho hasn't proven shit. He's been in the PL for 5 months and played well for less than that. Eriksen was a top notch performer in the CL last season playing against Real, City and Dortmund so saying that Coutinho has proven loads more is bullshit What he proved at Inter was that he could be sold no problem. He's yet to play a full proper season as a professional whilst Eriksen has played 3 proper seasons and has 36 caps. Eriksen is the way more mature player of the two. Coutinho is a luxury player that Liverpool can afford to have in their side given their status. Put him in the Ajax team last season and Ajax would have been fecked.
 
There's nothing at all wrong with comparing Kagawa with Ozil. Same age, came from the same league. Kagawa was the better player in Germany, and Ozil went into a Real team that is already well adapted to using players of that ilk. Whereas United have not had the kind of midfield playmaker that Kagawa is since... Cantona maybe? Not to mention for some players, it's very difficult to acclimatise to the English game anyway.

No one is saying Coutinho is a bad player, he's very good. It's just that as things stand, Eriksen is better. The reason why Coutinho has 'proven' more is simply because he's can play more than one position. Whereas Eriksen is very fixed in how he plays and where he does it. You couldn't place him on the wing for example because he doesn't have the pace or the 'turn' to beat a man. But in his position, he is extremely good.
 
I also don't buy all this 'he doesn't show up for the national team' - the guy is 21 and is basically being asked to carry your team (which isn't very good to begin with) on his shoulders; why would you be surprised if he doesn't show up at times?
 
Andrew~ said:
I also don't buy all this 'he doesn't show up for the national team' - the guy is 21 and is basically being asked to carry your team (which isn't very good to begin with) on his shoulders; why would you be surprised if he doesn't show up at times?
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I am not especially surprised. I am simply saying he doesn't really deliver when the chips are down for us.
 
Andrew~ said:
Coutinho is a really good player. But, Kagawa was the centre-piece to a Dortmund team that won the league twice and was playing at a higher level than players like Ozil, for example. In comparison, Coutinho hasn't done anything, but he does have a lot of talent - really nice close control, good awareness and good passing. Could he become as good as or better than Kagawa? Maybe.

Is he as good as or better than Eriksen right now? Definitely not.
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What? Yeah, he was so central to Dortmund, that they managed to win two championships, while he conrtibuted next to nothing for a whole year (was injured at first and then absolutely out of form for roughly the same amount of time) inbetween the two titles :rolleyes:

Kagawa is an absolute quality player, who helped Dortmund a lot (be it offensively with his scores or defensively with his pressing) when he was in form, but his importance for Dortmund gets often massively exagerrated on here. He was not nearly as influential to their game as for example Sahin, Hummels or Gündogan.

I also don´t understand these comparisions with Coutinho, Eriksen or Özil. They all play the AM position, but their intepretation of that position differs quite a bit. Out of all players, Kagawa is by far the most offensive one. He plays his role closer to that of a second striker rather than a classic "10", having a big emphasis on finishing. Coutinho and especially Özil display more playmaker traits, influencing game flow and pulling strings. Eriksen plays the AM role even deeper, being a CM/AM hybrid in my eyes.
 
I think Eriksen could work in a Moyes formation? At times at Everton, he simply picked a team because they were the best players available against the opposition. He made them work, play football and was less concerned with a traditional formation (I'd say a tad like Pep at Barca, but purely down to limitations rather than an embarrassment of riches).

When they beat City last year, his front 6 were: Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Anichebe.

Who's to say we couldn't play similarly with these players doing similar roles (those currently at our disposal as well): Welbeck, Carrick, Cleverly, Anderson, Kagawa, Van Persie.

Eriksen could swap in for Anderson (and Cesc for Cleverly and Bale for Welbeck).
 
Rumours today that he has rejected Liverpool and has agreed terms with Meeelaaaan.

Looks like 'Pool fans are having a roller coaster summer much like us.
 
He scored from a free kick today against AZ. He also hit the bar with another one.
Surely someone will be trying to pick him up? He's not even that expensive.

 
Varun_Utd said:
Havent seen much of him so correct me if am wrong but isnt he more of a attacking mid than a cm?
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See my post at the top of the screen. He's an attacking mid by default, but he played more centrally last season and is a very bright player.
 
Varun_Utd said:
Havent seen much of him so correct me if am wrong but isnt he more of a attacking mid than a cm?
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He's an attacking mid but he actually plays almost like a CM for Ajax in their three man midfield. I think he could fit in alongside Carrick if I'm honest.
 
Varun_Utd said:
Havent seen much of him so correct me if am wrong but isnt he more of a attacking mid than a cm?
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Yeah he plays in an advance role however playing in the league he does his attacking talents would be wasted if he sat in a midfield two, if that what your trying to get at? Can he do it... would have to see, he is a centre midfielder by trade.
 
Joemo said:
See my post at the top of the screen. He's an attacking mid by default, but he played more centrally last season and is a very bright player.
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Maagge said:
He's an attacking mid but he actually plays almost like a CM for Ajax in their three man midfield. I think he could fit in alongside Carrick if I'm honest.
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Read it now Joemo.

That sounds good actually. He's been so highly rated for so long now that its weird he still hasnt moved to a big club.
 
Mainoldo said:
Yeah he plays in an advance role however playing in the league he does his attacking talents would be wasted if he sat in a midfield two, if that what your trying to get at? Can he do it... would have to see, he is a centre midfielder by trade.
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I understand that. I was more interested in knowing whether the ones who watch him regularly think he can play as a CM in the prem.
 
Varun_Utd said:
Read it now Joemo.

That sounds good actually. He's been so highly rated for so long now that its weird he still hasnt moved to a big club.
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He seems to consider clubs very carefully and won't just move to any club coming in for him. That's another thing I quite like about him. He's so level headed.
 
Maagge said:
He seems to consider clubs very carefully and won't just move to any club coming in for him. That's another thing I quite like about him. He's so level headed.
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Rejected Pool didnt he? Love him already :D
 
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