What would certainly change into one of the vital emotional tales of this summer season’s European Championships — if it occurs — is underneath risk.
Christian Eriksen, the Denmark midfielder whose cardiac arrest throughout his nation’s opening sport of the 2020 Euros (delayed to 2021) had a worldwide viewers wanting on with sympathy and dread, has lengthy dreamed of the second when he may return to the identical stage.
Until lately, there had appeared to be little doubt that it could occur. Denmark certified comfortably for the match, Eriksen was strongly concerned, and retained his place as one of many crew’s most achieved, skilled and senior figures.
However, adjustments at his membership, Manchester United, the place the emergence of 19-year-old English star Kobbie Mainoo has drastically eaten into Eriksen’s enjoying time, has led to some rumblings about whether or not he ought to hold his spot on the Denmark roster.
Last month, when Eriksen was named for friendlies towards Switzerland and the Faroe Islands, former Denmark and Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen reacted angrily within the media, criticizing head coach Kasper Hjulmand’s reasoning and insisting that Nicolai Vallys, who performs in the same position to Eriksen for Danish membership Brondby, ought to have been picked as an alternative.
“(Hjulmand) chose to take a player who has sat on the bench at Manchester United, Christian Eriksen, just to maintain relations,” Grevesen advised Tipsbladet.
“The Christian Eriksen we all know, he is no longer there. Christian Eriksen doesn’t play football anymore. Christian Eriksen sits on the bench and watches football.
“You should not fall again on the truth that you’re solely chosen on advantage. One should not single out Christian Eriksen solely on his deserves.”
The central point Gravesen was making is that current form is also critical when it comes to choosing which players will be able to make the best impact in Germany this summer, where Denmark will square off against Slovenia on June 16 earlier than taking over England after which Serbia to complete its Group C slate.
Eriksen has little in the way of recent performances to speak of. He played on Sunday, as United survived its FA Cup semifinal against Coventry City on penalties, and converted his attempt in the shootout.
However, the last time he played in the English Premier League was in a February home defeat to Fulham, while his last league start was more than a month before that.
The idea of leaving Eriksen out of the squad would be virtually unthinkable to most Denmark fans, such is the huge level of national affection reserved for him. If Hjulmand was to take that controversial step, it would also rob the tournament of one of its most special narratives.
Eriksen’s on-field collapse will never be forgotten. In conjunction with the Euros, European soccer governing body UEFA has launched a major CPR and heart health campaign, using international stars such as Erling Haaland to promote its bid to train more than 100,000 fans in resuscitation skills.
In 2021, Eriksen fell suddenly to the ground during play, while, lamentably, television images of his stricken face were beamed to an international audience.
The actions of Simon Kjaer, the Denmark captain, were exemplary. After initially attempting immediate CPR on Eriksen himself, he cleared a path for medics to get to work. Then, as the Denmark players formed a circle surrounding the area where Eriksen lay, facing outwards, Kjaer took it upon himself to be the sole man watching what was happening with his friend, bearing the burden if the worst was to happen.
Thankfully, it didn’t. After a period of hospitalization, Eriksen was cleared to return to soccer months later, but not with his then-club Inter Milan, due to Italy’s Serie A carrying a ban on players implanted with the type of pacemaker that he was fitted with.
He spent the end of the 2021-22 season with Brentford, then joined United on a three-year deal. But after a positive first campaign at Old Trafford, has come a reminder that things move quickly at the top.
With United boss Erik ten Hag fighting to keep his job, he has repeatedly preferred the irrepressible and rapidly-improving Mainoo, who looks to be a spectacular talent with enormous upside.
“I feel that (Mainoo) is the principle cause,” ten Hag told reporters, when quizzed about Eriksen’s reduced action. “(Kobbie) was so essential for us, bringing creation to the crew, composure, in our possession sport. That is the principle cause why Christian has much less minutes.”
Eriksen has publicly voiced his unhappiness with the current situation and has also spoken to ten Hag. A summer move appears likely, with Turkish side Galatasaray and a switch to the Saudi Pro League having been mooted as possible destinations.
His more immediate concern revolves around the Euros, especially with several of Hjulmand’s highest-profile players experiencing similar issues at their clubs, either through injury or being out of favor.
Denmark made it to the semifinals last time, its players openly speaking about how they were inspired by Eriksen’s plight before losing to England 2-1 in extra time.
A bigger challenge awaits this year, and Eriksen himself faces a battle merely to gain the chance to complete his comeback story.
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the daily newsletter.
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