Even with a performance his manager described as ‘only average’, Christian Eriksen was still the difference-maker for Brentford.
The Danish star was below his mercurial best but still the most influential figure on the pitch as the Bees easily beat Southampton 3-0 on Saturday, removing any lingering prospect of relegation from the Premier League.
It was Eriksen whose brilliant corner picked out Ivan Toney’s chest in the lead-up to Pontus Jansson’s early opener.
Christian Eriksen has proved a revelation for Brentford after they restarted his career
The Dane is enjoying his football and playing an influential role for the Premier League club
And it was Eriksen whose driving run a minute later prompted the advantage from referee Michael Salisbury that saw Yoane Wissa net Brentford’s second. That touch from the floor was marked down as an assist, his third since arriving.
That was supposedly an off-day for the midfielder, yet Eriksen’s off days are still superior than those of most Premier League players.
So a giant charm offensive to convince Eriksen to stay for next season began at the Brentford Community Stadium.
No 21 shirts have been selling in record numbers, kids hold up cardboard signs begging for Eriksen’s jersey and the Brentford fans chanted ‘we want you to stay.’
Eriksen shocked the football world when he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at the Euros
The midfielder has been able to return to club and international football in the months since
After Saturday’s win, captain Jansson said: ‘He has made a huge difference with what he has done in the last three months, it’s been unbelievable. Hopefully he stays.
‘He’s a world class player, of course we want him to continue to play for us.’
The trouble is, while Brentford have restarted Eriksen’s career following his cardiac arrest at the Euros last summer, he won’t be short of enticing offers in the transfer window.
Eriksen, 30, has already been linked with several other Premier League…