One to watch: Christian Eriksen

[the_khl]

Cheers mate always nice with some updates on upcoming talents. Even the Irish ones... ;D

If anyone cares to watch here's a few whighlights of Eriksens first 90 minutes for Ajax. At around 1:00 in the first the clip you'll see a few of the highlights from his performance in the first half. Pacy run with ball, clever through-ball, Laudrup-esque turn on the ball and a fiery shot from a distance. The second one is a more thorough clip with all game highlights. (Ajax could've won this one 10-0 easily so probably not the best opponent ever).

Eriksen started in a Riera/Babel position out wide on the left and probably made more use of the ball in this one game than any of those two has managed to do for us all Season. (Fair play to them, they haven't played much this Season but still... this lad has only just turned 18 and it was his first start ever). In the second half he was moved into a more central role. He can play everywhere across the frontline it seems and shoots equally well with both feets.

I reckon there's a good chance he'll figure in Denmarks World Cup squad with a posibility of his prize going through the roof especially as clubs like Chelsea and United are already beeing touted as suitors. (Which makes sense as he has already turned Chelsea down once - when he first moved from Danish club OB to Ajax).

Dear Rafa.
Buy him.
Now.
X

Here's the clips:
Eerste helft Ajax - Vitesse goals en acties Eriksen (21-02-10)
HIGHLIGHTS AJAX - VITESSE 4-0 (21-2-2010).

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Yet another player that Kristian writes about weeks before he's mentioned anywhere seems to be on the path to a big team ...

Pity the below means we probably have no chance at getting him.

Arsenal are being linked with a raid on Ajax for their attacking starlet Christian Eriksen. The Danish striker has been labeled as the new Dennis Bergkamp by none other than the original Dennis Bergkamp, who is now a coach in his native Holland.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=38701.msg1059116#msg1059116 date=1267004783]
Yet another player that Kristian writes about weeks before he's mentioned anywhere seems to be on the path to a big team ...

Pity the below means we probably have no chance at getting him.

Arsenal are being linked with a raid on Ajax for their attacking starlet Christian Eriksen. The Danish striker has been labeled as the new Dennis Bergkamp by none other than the original Dennis Bergkamp, who is now a coach in his native Holland.

[/quote]
Ha!

Anyways he's exactly the kind of player I do NOT want to see end up in Arsenal (or United, Citeh or Chelsea for that matter).




*wonders whether Bergkamp has been browsing these boards*





Roger is that really you?

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=38701.msg1059116#msg1059116 date=1267004783]
Yet another Danish player that Kristian writes about weeks before he's mentioned anywhere seems to be on the path to a big team ...

Pity the below means we probably have no chance at getting him.

Arsenal are being linked with a raid on Ajax for their attacking starlet Christian Eriksen. The Danish striker has been labeled as the new Dennis Bergkamp by none other than the original Dennis Bergkamp, who is now a coach in his native Holland.

[/quote]

Edit. 😉

 

[Buddha]

Arsenal track Ajax starlet after tip off from Dennis Bergkamp
Published 23:00 24/02/10 By John Cross Recommend (2)


Arsene Wenger is keeping tabs on Ajax starlet Christian Eriksen - after a glowing report from Dennis Bergkamp.

Arsenal legend Bergkamp still has strong links at Ajax where 18-year-old playmaker Eriksen is breaking into the first team.

Danish youth international Eriksen, who began his career at Odense before moving to Holland with Ajax, has only a year left on his contract and the Dutch club are trying to tie him down on a long-term deal.

But Arsenal are watching developments after Eriksen caught the eye of Bergkamp and the teenage midfielder is becoming a hot property.


Eriksen has already had trials at Chelsea and Barcelona and Ajax boss Martin Jol is determined to keep him.

Jol said: “We are eager to offer him a new contract in the upcoming weeks. We want Christian to stay in Amsterdam for several more years. It all depends on what the player himself wants though.â€

Arsenal have also given a trial to Icelandic sensation Ingolfur Sigurdsson, 17, and the Knattspyrnufelag Reykjavikur midfielder scored in an under-16s game with Fulham last weekend.

Sigurdsson, who has also been offered trials at Manchester United, has now returned home while Arsenal weigh up whether to try and sign him.

 

[the_khl]

Eriksen has now established himself as a regular starter for Ajax - starting and playing the full 90 minutes for the fifth game in a row (apart from one game where he were subbed after 65).

This clip from his latest appearance, in Ajax Amsterdams 3-0 win at Sparta this weekend.

He's showing the potential at around 6:50 in this clip. Firstly he hits a well-timed pass setting up a team-mate on the counter and manages to get into a scoring position too.

He then moves the ball brilliantly forward over half a pitch (albeit enjoying a bit of luck with a tackle) before setting up a teammate for their 3-0 goal.

HIGHLIGHTS SPARTA - AFC AJAX 0-3 (7-3-2010).

 

[the_khl]

According to his agent who's beeing quoted in the Danish newspaper BT this morning, major clubs are seemingly stepping up their interest in signing Eriksen who is yet to sign a new contract with Ajax.

Eriksen has had trials with Barcelona and Chelsea before he opted for Ajax and those are apparently in the mix yet again.

There are other tob-clubs said to be interested as well and if we've got any aspirations of securing one of the biggest talents around we really should be amongst those. Fingers crossed we are.

He'd make us stronger from day one despite only just turning 18.

I've got no idea of how expensive he'd become but we won't get him on the cheap that's for sure.

 

[Oncy]

Barcelona, Chelsea, United and Arsenal are all to bid for the lad in summer.
He's also expected tobe named in the world cup squad.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=38701.msg1089303#msg1089303 date=1271527396]
Barcelona, Chelsea, United and Arsenal are all to bid for the lad in summer.
He's also expected tobe named in the world cup squad.


[/quote]

Oncey - do you think it's time we start paying KHL for these scouting reports? His track record is better than Liverpool's current scouts!

 

[vantage]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=38701.msg1089354#msg1089354 date=1271530230]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=38701.msg1089303#msg1089303 date=1271527396]
Barcelona, Chelsea, United and Arsenal are all to bid for the lad in summer.
He's also expected tobe named in the world cup squad.


[/quote]

Oncey - do you think it's time we start paying KHL for these scouting reports? His track record is better than Liverpool's current scouts!
[/quote]
I think Liverpool ought to have KHL on their books, seriously!

 

[IGotALuvlyBunchOfCoconuts]

That Suarez looks alright. I think we were linked with him too.

 

[Halmeister]

It's strange. This lad will probably be big news in Denmark, and obviously KHL has easier access to hearing about these young guys, Kjaer, Eriksen, etc. So for KHL to pick up on these players and hear all the hype, while our scouts seemingly don't think they're worth a punt suggests something is wrong with our scouting policy. Especially when you take in the fact that our academy hasn't produced a great talent in such a long time and the players we bring in get flogged off a couple of years later.

Usually the hype is worth it. At least worth having a look at. Look at players recently that everyone was talking about as the next big thing. Just off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are better examples:

Aguero - we were linked admittedly
Di Maria - no indication we ever looked at him
Pato - as above
Canales - ditto
Jovetic - "
Bale - he has only come good recently but we should have at least had a look
Ozil
Banega
Higuain

These players were all being lauded for a while, and a lot of them started off at small clubs, and some of them even moved onto small clubs still. Well, smaller than Liverpool.

My point is that it's known that a lot of these players were being heralded for a long time, and have gone on to show promise and class, all while we pick up the likes of Paletta, Insua, N'gog. That's not to say they'd automatically make it here, nor is it to say that Insua and N'gog will definitely be failures, but if fucking Football Manager can spot stars before our own scouts can, and a Danish poster on some obscure Liverpool forum boasts a better success rate at spotting talent then something is wrong in the scouting system or the development of kids at the academy.

 

[the_khl]

5 pence per report thank you very much.

I'M GOING TO BE RICH!! (mouahahahahahahhhaaha)

Anyways I won't believe for one second that our scouting dep isn't aware of Eriksen already I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that we've 1) got the money to be involved in the inevitable transferbattle and 2) that we are at least doing our utmost to secure his services.

As Halmeister is saying it's not like I'm re-inventing the wheel everytime I throw in a new name on here. I see them play and if I like what I see/reckons there's enough potential there for them to make it on the biggest stage I'm throwing in a post about them on here. Not everyone agree with me though as names like Bendtner and Hangeland in particular shows.

But that's the great thing about football isn't it. It's all about personal opinions.

I've been lucky with a few of mine of late which is nice obviously and I'm very glad it's beeing appreciated by some on here if nothing else.



*I'm sure the club is browsing these boards too so they don't miss out on someone. They'd better be.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=IGotALuvlyBunchOfCoconuts link=topic=38701.msg1089423#msg1089423 date=1271540819]
That Suarez looks alright. I think we were linked with him too.
[/quote]
Having watched a lot of Ajax of late I must admit that he's looking like a prospect - however Ajax is such a force these days in Holland and they are litterrally brushing opponents aside.

In a game where Suarez scores two or three goals he often could've just as well has got 8 to his name. He's simply squandering a massive ammount of good chances, mostly because he can I reckon.

I'm not sure whether he'd be able to convert only a few chances in a top league mind if that's what beeing asked of him.

 

[Halmeister]

How much did Eriksen go to Ajax for, though? It can't have been much. Surely we should have been sniffing around.

It is hard to tell, and you're right KHL, someone's opinion my differ to anothers, but if Eriksen looks the real deal, or Aguero, or Di Maria, or whoever, surely it's better to try and sign one of them than a whole host of maybe's like N'gog, Insua, Paletta, Bruna, Flora, Brouwer, etc etc etc.... Zzzzzzz...

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Would we be the right the club to develop these young players? Would we give them enough time in he first team? I'm not so sure.

 

[Halmeister]

Well given that N'gog and Insua have been prominent figures this season, plus the fact that there are some other holes in our team, particularly on the wings, a few of these players would definitely get a few games. Especially if they're good enough.

Instead of spunking £8 million on Riera, just to watch him be the latest to shuffle out of the revolving door, we could have gone for Di Maria who cost a similar amount, is about 8 years younger and miles better as well as having potential to improve.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=38701.msg1089618#msg1089618 date=1271607250]
How much did Eriksen go to Ajax for, though? It can't have been much. Surely we should have been sniffing around.

It is hard to tell, and you're right KHL, someone's opinion my differ to anothers, but if Eriksen looks the real deal, or Aguero, or Di Maria, or whoever, surely it's better to try and sign one of them than a whole host of maybe's like N'gog, Insua, Paletta, Bruna, Flora, Brouwer, etc etc etc.... Zzzzzzz...
[/quote]
He went there as a 16-year-old and whilst I'm not aware of the compensation paid by Ajax at the time it was hardly more than £1M.

He rejected Chelsea and Arnesens approach after they asked to see him for a third time on Stamford Bridge on a trial as some of their English backroom staff at the time found him a bit to wee in his physique and wasn't sure if his footballing-qualities would make up for that. (Or something along those lines).

However Chelsea still offered him a contract as soon they found out Ajax had tabled a bid too but Eriksen choosed the smaller club of the two in his search for playing time at highest level. He then got his debut a few months back as a 17-year-old.

His awareness and touch is something to behold and he has not once looked out of his depths in the attacking midfield position when playing for Ajax. He can play left, right and center as he's equally talented with both feets.

It's always extremely bold to make comparisons to great footballers but I'm not going to argue if anyone says he's got a lot of the same qualites as a young Michael Laudrup or perhaps the likes of Cesc Fabregas or Iniesta. A bit pacier than those players perhaps but not quite as big a goal-threat. It'll come in time though I'm certain.

 

[DHSC]

You should write to the club to ask if you can work for them on a freelance basis. I'm sure there are a few here who are willing to be your 'references', me included.

 

[the_khl]

Signed a new contract with Ajax.

Next.

 

[Whitey85]

Great news.

He should stay at Ajax and get regular football. Good on him.

 

[LarryHagman]

What about Mads Mikkelsen for the Masch role once he's gone?

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=38701.msg1090686#msg1090686 date=1271771477]

What about Mads Mikkelsen for the Masch role once he's gone?



[/quote]
To old and not pacy enough.

He prefers to play Handball - a sport I'm not even sure exists in Brittain (or Australia) for that matter.

Next.

 

[LarryHagman]

[quote author=KHL link=topic=38701.msg1090691#msg1090691 date=1271771796]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=38701.msg1090686#msg1090686 date=1271771477]

What about Mads Mikkelsen for the Masch role once he's gone?



[/quote]
To old and not pacy enough.

He prefers to play Handball - a sport I'm not even sure exists in Brittain (or Australia) for that matter.

Next.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=38701.msg1090681#msg1090681 date=1271771354]
Great news.

He should stay at Ajax and get regular football. Good on him.

[/quote]
And he'll get Champions League experience next year as well.

 

[LarryHagman]

[quote author=KHL link=topic=38701.msg1090691#msg1090691 date=1271771796]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=38701.msg1090686#msg1090686 date=1271771477]

What about Mads Mikkelsen for the Masch role once he's gone?



[/quote]
To old and not pacy enough.

He prefers to play Handball - a sport I'm not even sure exists in Brittain (or Australia) for that matter.

Next.
[/quote]

Hey, reminds me, have the Danes ever forgiven Jesper Bellend Olsen for fucking up their best team ever in 86?

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=38701.msg1090695#msg1090695 date=1271772149]
[quote author=KHL link=topic=38701.msg1090691#msg1090691 date=1271771796]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=38701.msg1090686#msg1090686 date=1271771477]

What about Mads Mikkelsen for the Masch role once he's gone?



[/quote]
To old and not pacy enough.

He prefers to play Handball - a sport I'm not even sure exists in Brittain (or Australia) for that matter.

Next.
[/quote]

Hey, reminds me, have the Danes ever forgiven Jesper Bellend Olsen for fucking up their best team ever in 86?




[/quote]

It's still called a 'Jesper Olsen' over here whenever someone plays a dodgy pass in and around the area. I actually think he's living in England today. Or Spain. Somewhere it isn't called a 'Jesper Olsen' I take it.

He's forgiven obviously but he'll always be remembered first and foremost for that pass. Kind of hard justice on an otherwise good career but that's football.

And he was a Manc after all too.

 

[Avmenon]

[quote author=KHL link=topic=38701.msg1089596#msg1089596 date=1271596279]
5 pence per report thank you very much.

I'M GOING TO BE RICH!! (mouahahahahahahhhaaha)

Anyways I won't believe for one second that our scouting dep isn't aware of Eriksen already I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that we've 1) got the money to be involved in the inevitable transferbattle and 2) that we are at least doing our utmost to secure his services.

As Halmeister is saying it's not like I'm re-inventing the wheel everytime I throw in a new name on here. I see them play and if I like what I see/reckons there's enough potential there for them to make it on the biggest stage I'm throwing in a post about them on here. Not everyone agree with me though as names like Bendtner and Hangeland in particular shows.

But that's the great thing about football isn't it. It's all about personal opinions.

I've been lucky with a few of mine of late which is nice obviously and I'm very glad it's beeing appreciated by some on here if nothing else.



*I'm sure the club is browsing these boards too so they don't miss out on someone. They'd better be.
[/quote]

You're better than our scouts, anyway 🙁

 

[the_khl]

Eriksen struggled over past two or three Months with Ajax after former manager Martin Jol reverted more and more in to a 4-4-2 instead of their well-known 4-3-3 formation.

With Frank de Boer coming in however they are back to basics and it's obvious that Eriksen thrives much more in that no. 10 role than anything else. He played a very good game last night in Ajax's 2-0 win at San Siro against AC Milan:

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1524244.html

In my opinion, with everything I've read with regards to the new owners approach and hunt for top-talent, this lad simply ticks all the boxes.

 

[King Binny]

Liverpool will this summer look to follow up their purchase of Luis Suarez from Ajax by attempting to lure teenage playmaker Christian Eriksen to Anfield. The promising Danish international has impressed many with his mature performances for the Eredivisie club and many have tipped the youngster to be a big star in the future.

Director of Football Damien Comolli has earmarked a move for the starlet who has been likened to a young Dennis Bergkamp and the Merseyside club hope they can persuade the Amsterdam to sell as the Dutch side look to balance the books and help alleviate their financial woes.

Eriksen arrived at Ajax in 2008 and battled his way through the club’s academy system and into the first team far faster than anyone could possibly have imagined. The former Odense youth team player has already racked up almost 50 senior appearances and already has ten international caps to his name and yet he is still yet to turn 19.

Liverpool will hope that a bid for the £10m rated playmaker will be accepted as Frank De Boer may prefer to lose an up and coming star over the likes of more established names like Gregory van der Wiel, Maarten Stekelenburg and Jan Vertonghen, all strongly linked with moves away from the Amsterdam Arena.

Liverpool’s new owners are keen to see the club invest in young talent with good potential re-sale value and that can help build the nucleus of a new generation of Anfield stars and Eriksen arguably fits that bill to a tee.