According to Jaime Astrain of El Chiringuito TV (via Fox Sports), Real Madrid are set to announce the arrival of Christian Eriksen after the Champions League final next month. The former European champions are keen to add more options to their attacking department following a turbulent campaign.
Los Blancos finished third in the league behind Atletico Madrid and champions FC Barcelona. They were also knocked out of the Champions League Round of 16 by semi-finalists Ajax. Hence, the addition of Eriksen could play a key role as Zinedine Zidane looks to kickstart a new era at the Bernabeu next season.
Eriksen will spark new life to the Real Madrid attack
One of the main reasons behind Real Madrid’s demise this season was their lack of a sustained creative source. Isco’s rift with Santiago Solari saw the talented playmaker restricted to just 1,737 minutes of league football, during which he managed only one assist.
Their other option was Dani Ceballos, who was more or less a misfit to either of the coaches Real Madrid appointed. As for Zidane, he has already clarified that the midfielder is not included in his plans for next season. That is understandable given the fact that the Spaniard failed to register a single assist in any of his 23 games this season.
As for Luka Modric, his decline has been rather evident after winning last year’s Ballon d’Or. The Croatian international has appeared tentative with the ball at times and has been dispossessed at least once in every game this season. And at the age of 33, he is already in the final phase of his career.
That leaves Zidane with Isco as his only reliable creative option next season. Hence, the arrival of Eriksen will offer the Frenchman additional options in the final third. And given how well the Dane has played in the past few years, he’ll undoubtedly be able to spark new life into the Real Madrid attack in this new season.
He will also offer tactical versatility
Unlike Isco, Eriksen can be accommodated in different positions in Zidane’s preferred 4-3-3 setup. The Tottenham Hotspur star can feature in a wide attacking role. But he has also been utilised as a central midfielder by Mauricio Pochettino this campaign.
That means Zidane will be able to line-up Eriksen alongside Toni Kroos in central midfield, with Casemiro featuring as the holding midfielder. Alternatively, the Danish international could operate in the lone-attacking role, should the Frenchman opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation.
But one thing is for sure – Eriksen’s versatility will offer Zidane much more freedom as far as his tactical choices are concerned. This is combined with his excellent positioning sense as well as the fact that he will be able to offer a creative spark going forward – making him an ideal signing for Los Blancos.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
