OPINION
When going through a list of Tottenham’s most important and influential players you can be sure that midfield maestro Christian Eriksen will be near, if not at, the top of all fans’ lists.
The Dane is without a doubt one of the best attacking midfielders plying their trade in the Premier League and while he might not be having the best of seasons in terms of statistics, the impact he is having on games is still remarkable.
With 12 assists and seven goals across all competitions, he is just as capable at producing a moment of magic for himself as he is at setting up his teammates to put the ball in the back of the net – which is why his contract status will be worrying many in north London.
With a deal which expires in 2020 and worth £75,000-a-week – or £3.9million-a-year (source: Spotrac) – it seems imperative that the Lilywhites get him tied up to new terms – especially if he looks at what others in the Premier League are earning.
The Sun claim that Manchester United’s Juan Mata – a man three years older than Eriksen and who operates in a similar role for the Red Devils – is on course to pen an extension worth £8.8million-a-year until 2020, with the possibility of a clause taking that to 2021.
At £170,000-a-week Mata would be earning well over double Eriksen’s wages but there is no way the pair should be so far apart – if anything the Tottenham man should be earning more than the Spaniard.
With three less goals and two more goals in over 40 appearances less than the United man, the duo should be expecting parity with one another – not just under £100,000-a-week difference.
Spurs are surely digging their own grave with Eriksen – he is as deserving, if not more so, for a new big money contract as Mata.