The collapse of Denmark star Christian Eriksen on the pitch at Euro 2020 was one of the most heart-wrenching moments in world football last year. But the frightening story had a wonderful ending as Eriksen made a full recovery from his cardiac arrest.
Denmark became everyone’s second favourite team as they battled on bravely, eventually going out to England in the semi-final. And while Eriksen received well wishes from around the world, photos of him back on his feet and then on the training ground were the best images of the year.
And now, he might be set to make a sensational return to the Premier League where he starred for Tottenham Hotspur during six seasons in which he became known as one of the very best creative midfielders in world football.
Brentford are among a cluster of clubs keen to bring the 29-year-old back to England and that may not be as fanciful as it first sounds. The Bees have had a brilliant first half of the season and have given themselves an excellent chance of staying up for a second year in the top flight, and there are plenty of Danish connections at the club.
Manager Thomas Frank and international buddies Mathias Jensen and Christian Norgaard would love to see Eriksen at the club, a move which would surely guarantee their survival.
But they may face competition, not least from his former club Spurs whose head coach Antonio Conte has worked with Eriksen at Scudetto winners Inter Milan. The Dane has been released by the Serie A champions and he’s keen to find a new home as he has high hopes of playing at the World Cup in Qatar.
Manchester United and Arsenal continue their transition
Not so long ago, Manchester United and Arsenal were the best two teams in English football as their legendary managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger pitted their wits throughout the first decade of the 21st century. But both clubs have fallen off the pace in recent years and the latest Premier League 2022 betting odds don’t rate either’s chances of a top four place as being particularly hot.
Ralf Rangnick has his work cut out at Old Trafford and has issues in the dressing room to sort out.
French World Cup winner Paul Pogba has recently returned to training. But as always, his future is uncertain and, as his contract expires in the summer, he is able to make a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs and no doubt his agent is working furiously.
And wantaway striker Anthony Martial is another player I suspect Rangnick will not be too sorry to see the back of. The France forward responded on social media to accusations from the interim boss that he wasn’t fit or ready to represent the Red Devils. And once players start to communicate to the world rather than their boss, then the writing is on the wall.
But Martial is reported to have turned down a loan offer from Newcastle United so the Old Trafford club is stuck with him for now.
In terms of incomings, United fancy Aston Villa’s highly-rated midfielder John McGinn and the Scot is the type of player their long suffering fans would love to see at the club.
Down at the Emirates, the Gunners are looking like a stronger defencive unit as they showed in their EFL Cup semi-final first-leg draw with Liverpool, but their problems lie further forward as Ainsley Maitland-Niles has gone to Roma on loan and former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is clearly on his way out.
Head coach Mikel Arteta is keen on Fiorentina’s 21-year-old hitman Dusan Vlahovic. With 17 goals from 21 games, he is joint leader in the race for the Capocannoniere alongside Lazio’s Ciro Immobile.
They are out there on their own with a five-goal cushion and Vlahovic is said to be happy to stay until the summer, but La Viola might be ready to sell now to get the best price for their young star.
The top four race has many twists and turns to come and here at SBOTOP we’ll be there every step of the way. It’s going to end in disappointment for at least one of these two giants of UK football, and maybe both.
Two big deals over the line
In other Premier League 2022 news, the transfer wheel has been spinning on Merseyside and in the North East.
Two £25-M deals have already gone through with wing-back Lucas Digne making the switch from Everton to Aston Villa after the Toffees recruited Nathan Patterson from Rangers. Chris Wood is also leaving Burnley to join relegation rivals Newcastle United.
Former Atletico Madrid wing-back Kieran Trippier has also joined his old boss Eddie Howe in the Magpies’ big money project.
They desperately need to strengthen their defence if they are to survive and are reported to be set to make a £30-M swoop for Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos, while Howe continues to monitor Burnley’s James Tarkowski.
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