Assessing the players Tottenham could target to replace Christian Eriksen

“I feel that I am in a place in my career where I might want to try something new,” Christian Eriksen said this week. It was news Tottenham fans head been dreading, yet expecting. The Dane’s contract expires next year and despite Spurs’ reluctance to cash in on the creator, it’s now or never for the club as talks over a new deal reach an impasse. 

With Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus all keen on Eriksen, it is now in Spurs’ best interest to sell the Denmark international or risk losing him on a free next summer. As such, we look at those who have been linked with a move to Tottenham to succeed the 27-year-old in Mauricio Pochettino’s side… 

James Maddison - Leicester 

Tottenham were linked with a move for James Maddison last summer, but it was Leicester who won the race to secure the youngster’s services. In his debut Premier League season, the 22-year-old thrived, becoming the first player since Dimitri Payet in 2015/16 to make at least 100 key passes for a team outside the top six, creating exactly 100 goalscoring chances, more than any other player in England’s top tier. 

Spurs aren’t the only side monitoring Maddison, with Liverpool, Manchester United and north London rivals Arsenal keeping tabs on the Foxes ace and while Leicester may demand £100m for the player, that’s unlikely to deter their Premier League rivals with a domestic bidding war on the horizon. As a like for like replacement, Maddison’s attacking mindset means he offers less defensively than Eriksen, but the latter’s dirty work was largely due to a lack of cover in a deeper midfield role. 

That being said, if Spurs do invest in the middle of the park, there will be less impetus on Maddison to drop deeper and it’ll allow the player to flex his creative muscles, which can only be a good thing for a Spurs side that scored the fourth most goals (67) in the Premier League last season. 

Jack Grealish - Aston Villa 

The boat has probably sailed on this one after Spurs missed their chance to sign Jack Grealish last summer, while Aston Villa’s promotion has effectively ruled out any possible exit, but in the world of football, a transfer should never be completely dismissed until the window has shut. Back in the Premier League, Dean Smith will want the Villa poster boy to captain his home club in England’s top tier, and it may be that even if Spurs made an offer they couldn’t reject, Grealish would turn a move down regardless. 

Crucially is that Grealish’s versatility is a trait Mauricio Pochettino could very well maximise, with the 23-year-old able to occupy both the number 8 and number 10 roles, which would allow for the Spurs to continue in a 4-3-1-2 setup or a 4-2-3-1 formation. As a natural runner of the ball, Grealish completed 1.8 successful dribbles per 90 in the Championship last season, which would help open up defences, and was routinely the target of opponents having been fouled a whopping 4.9 times per 90. 

At this point, though, a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is unlikely and feels more a pipe dream than a reality for supporters hoping to see Grealish don a Spurs shirt. 

Rodrigo de Paul - Udinese 

Tentatively linked with a move to Tottenham at the turn of the year, Rodrigo de Paul was crucial as Udinese successfully avoided relegation, with a three-match winning run to end the campaign ensuring they finished five points above the drop zone. De Paul may have penned a new deal in November, but reports in January claimed he changed agents to help secure a lucrative summer move and Spurs could do worse than raid the Fruili Stadium for the 25-year-old. 

Of course, Udinese would be reluctant to cash in on a player who was one of only two to earn a WhoScored rating in excess of 7.00 for the club, with De Paul returning a 7.37. The Argentina international had a direct hand in 43.6% of Udinese’s 39 league goals last season, chipping in with nine goals and eight assists, and made more accurate through balls (11) than any other player. 

Despite playing for the relegation threatened Zebrette, De Paul was still second for successful dribbles (81) and key passes (98) in Serie A and that skillset would be ideal for Pochettino’s Spurs as they seek an Eriksen successor. Able to play deeper and out wide is an added bonus and he wouldn’t eat too much into Tottenham’s summer budget as the club undergoes a summer makeover. 

Giovani Lo Celso - Real Betis 

Real Betis acted quickly to protect their asset with the permanent capture of Giovani Lo Celso from PSG following a superb loan spell in Spain. Indeed, they spent £20m to secure the Argentine’s services, which is a steal in the modern market. Real Betis deserve ample praise for the decision to include the clause when they took the 23-year-old to Seville and they stand to make a substantial profit on the Argentina international. 

Reports in recent days suggest Spurs are keen on making Lo Celso their record arrival with a £62m bid in the offing, though Real Betis are believed to be holding out for a figure closer to his £88m release clause. It’s for good reason too with Lo Celso netting nine and assisting four for the LaLiga outfit last season. Primarily a central midfielder, he excelled when pushed into a more advanced role and even made a handful of starts as a striker, where he scored four times. 

He excelled in the Europa League in the route to their last-32 exit at the hands of Rennes, scoring five and assisting one to return a fine WhoScored rating of 7.80. A return of 3.1 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game in Europe shows a willingness to get stuck in, which would certainly appeal to Pochettino. Either way, this transfer has legs and with Daniel Levy prepared to back the manager; he could be the first of a few new faces through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium doors. 

Isco - Real Madrid 

Real Madrid’s push for Eriksen could work in Tottenham’s favour and it may well see an out-of-favour Spaniard moved to England to help sweeten the deal. Zinedine Zidane’s return as Real Madrid boss was expected to provide a reprieve for Isco, yet the 27-year-old is one tipped for the Bernabeu exit this summer. 

Tottenham have previously been linked with a move for Isco and in order to negotiate a the fee down for Eriksen, Real Madrid may be tempted to part ways with the Spain international in order to move a big earner off the books. Despite a lack of regular game time in the capital, Isco is still highly regarded by his peers and with two key passes and 2.6 successful dribbles per 90 to his name in LaLiga last season, he has the technical quality in possession in pry defences apart. 

He’d be just the marque signing Spurs require to help push them to the next level, and Pochettino is clearly a fan having previously admitted: “Isco is proving he is one of the best in the world.” This summer could be the one the Argentine finally lands Isco. 

James Rodriguez - Real Madrid 

After two years and three trophies in Germany, Bayern Munich have confirmed they won’t be taking up the option to turn James Rodriguez’s loan move permanent at the player's request. Real Madrid are preparing for the coming campaign without the Colombian in mind and it leaves the player in limbo. There won’t be a shortage of suitors for Rodriguez across the continent, of which Tottenham should be one. 

Like with Isco, Real Madrid could look to use Rodriguez as a makeweight in their bid to sign Eriksen and it’s a path Spurs should explore. The 27-year-old may have only made 13 league starts last season, but managed seven goals and three assists despite registering just 1143 minutes of league action, having a direct hand in a goal every 114.3 minutes. What’s more, the Colombia international made more key passes per 90 (4) than any other player in the Bundesliga last season and it’s this vision and execution that Spurs need to replace should Eriksen depart this summer. 

For now, Rodriguez will be focusing his efforts on helping Colombia to Copa America glory and a strong showing in Brazil will see his stock rise once again. Like Isco, Rodriguez would be the ideal marquee acquisition could Spurs get a deal done for the out of favour creator. 

Bruno Fernandes - Sporting 

Sporting are fortunate that Bruno Fernandes u-turned on his decision to leave on a free last summer, with the Portgual international enjoying a stunning season in Portugal. The Liga NOS side are now expected to fetch a hefty fee for their prized asset, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and now Tottenham all keen on the 24-year-old. 

Fernandes was one of only two players to end the league season with double figures for goals (20) and assists (13) in Portugal’s top tier, the former of which was second only to Haris Seferovic (23) in Liga NOS. He was top for WhoScored man of the match awards won (9) and his rating (7.83) was better than any other player and it’s seen Fernandes linked with a high profile switch to England. 

As with a number of players on this list, competition for the Portugal international will be fierce and this will play into Sporting’s hands as they’re keen to instigate a bidding war in order to recoup as much money as possible for Fernandes. Able to play in central midfield or just off the striker, though, Spurs would profit from landing the Sporting star this summer if Eriksen leaves. 

Hakim Ziyech - Ajax 

Tottenham are well versed in Hakim Ziyech’s ability having faced off against Ajax in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Moroccan provided the assist for Donny van de Beek’s winning goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before getting his name on the scoresheet in the return leg. Ziyech earned a high enough WhoScored rating (7.74) to make our Champions League team of the season, while his form in the Eredivisie was sensational to say the least. 

The 26-year-old bagged a WhoScored rating of 8.54 in the Dutch top tier and earned a rating in excess of 8.00 in 22 of his 29 league apps, including five perfect 10 performances. The mercurial Moroccan was top for accurate through balls (21), second for clear-cut chances created (27) and third for key passes (106) and was one of six players to register double figures for both goals (16) and assists (13) in the Eredivisie. All in all, it was another predictably fine campaign for Ziyech, and possibly his last in the Netherlands. 

Reports suggest Ziyech has a £25m release clause this summer and a mad scramble for his services is set to ensue, with the Premier League’s top six all rumoured to be tracking the creative star. Even if Spurs don’t sell Eriksen, they should go all out for Ziyech but as a successor for the Dane; Spurs would be wise to return to Amsterdam to raid Ajax once more.