Arsene Wenger has questioned whether Tottenham can hang on to Christian Eriksen following his development into a world-class operator.
The Danish playmaker is out of contract in the summer of 2020 and talks over an extended deal have hit an impasse.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was on punditry duty at Wembley on Wednesday night as Spurs secured a 3-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund and expressed his admiration for Eriksen.
“He is the outstanding player at Tottenham and the worry you can have for Tottenham is whether they can keep a player of that quality,” Wenger told beIN Sports. “I think he has developed extremely well. He can score, deliver on set pieces, can give a final ball, he works very hard for the team. You do not find so many players who have so many qualities.
“He’s the player that was Modric before…but he scores more goals. But you must say Modric has done exceptionally well.”
"You do not find player with so many qualities. He's the player that was Modri? before… but he scores more goals!"
Wenger compares Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner. #beINUCL #beINWenger pic.twitter.com/kWhyGkCSMK
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 13, 2019
OPINION
What is fascinating is that not only has Wenger questioned whether Spurs can hang on to Eriksen in the face of a contract stalemate that leaves his future at the club in considerable doubt, but that the ex-Gunners boss regards the 26-year-old as the “outstanding player” at the club. Many would naturally assume that to be Harry Kane, the talisman and goal king who is the poster boy of the club and their proof of what is possible for any aspiring academy product with a work ethic to die for and the talent to make things happen. Unlike Kane, Eriken was regard as a potential great in his teens and he has continued to develop at Tottenham over the last six years to the point where he would walk into pretty much every side in world football. A playmaker who can do the lot – score, create, dictate the rhythm of a match, get the team going when they are in the mire – Eriksen is a class act at his peak. Does that mean he has outgrown Tottenham?