Incredible Spurs sensation who was sold by Mourinho in 2020 is now outscoring Maddison & Son
Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been a mix of highs and lows, leaving fans with plenty to discuss. Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have displayed moments of exhilarating football and periods of lackluster performances.
Currently sitting in tenth place, Tottenham remains just three points behind Chelsea in third, highlighting the tight competition in the Premier League. However, the inconsistency of some key players has drawn attention, with James Maddison and Son Heung-min delivering fluctuating performances.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that a former Spurs player, Christian Eriksen, is currently outperforming both of them in terms of goal contributions.
James Maddison, brought in from Leicester City, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled to maintain consistency.
In matches like the league encounter with Brentford, he earned praise for a stellar performance, scoring a goal and receiving a perfect 10/10 rating from Tottenham writer Alasdair Gold.
However, games like the clash against Crystal Palace saw a stark contrast, where Maddison was substituted in the 62nd minute and awarded just a 5/10 by journalist Rob Guest. This erratic form has hindered his ability to establish himself as a reliable playmaker for Spurs.
Son Heung-min, while not as inconsistent, has also faced challenges in replicating his usual impact on games. The South Korean forward has managed three goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season.
However, his performances in key matches, such as defeats to Galatasaray, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Ipswich Town, have been underwhelming. In these games, he failed to influence proceedings significantly, with ratings like 5/10 from Gold further emphasizing his struggles.
Despite their immense talent, both Maddison and Son have yet to hit the heights expected of them this season.
Amid this backdrop, Christian Eriksen, a former Tottenham star, has quietly been delivering impressive performances at Manchester United. Eriksen, who joined Spurs from Ajax in 2013 for £11.5 million, enjoyed a successful stint in North London.
During his six-and-a-half years at the club, he made 305 appearances, scoring 69 goals and providing 88 assists—an average goal involvement every 1.94 games.
His departure to Inter Milan in January 2020 marked the end of an era, but his career has taken fascinating turns since then.
After winning Serie A with Inter, Eriksen experienced a near-fatal cardiac arrest during Euro 2020. Remarkably, he made a triumphant return to professional football, playing for Brentford before securing a free transfer to Manchester United in July 2022.
At Old Trafford, Eriksen exceeded expectations, making 44 appearances in his first season and contributing two goals and ten assists. While last season saw him adopt a more rotational role, his current campaign has been notable for his contributions under Erik ten Hag, who has since departed the club. So far, Eriksen has scored four goals and provided three assists in just 814 minutes of play.
A comparison of Eriksen’s statistics with Maddison and Son further underscores his impressive form:
| Player | Eriksen | Maddison | Son |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 13 | 15 | 11 |
| Minutes | 814′ | 882′ | 810′ |
| Goals | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Assists | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Goal Involvements per Match | 0.53 | 0.46 | 0.54 |
| Minutes per Goal Involvement | 116.28′ | 126′ | 135′ |
These numbers reveal Eriksen’s superior efficiency, averaging a goal involvement every 116 minutes compared to Maddison’s 126 and Son’s 135. Despite playing fewer minutes, Eriksen has managed to outperform the current Spurs stars in terms of consistent contributions.
While Eriksen approaches the twilight of his career at 32, his performances this season have been remarkable. The Danish playmaker’s ability to influence games with his creativity and precision remains intact, raising questions about what he could achieve under a coach like Postecoglou.
Eriksen’s knack for delivering in crucial moments and his calm presence in midfield might have added a valuable dimension to Tottenham’s current squad.
Ultimately, Tottenham’s season hinges on finding consistency, both as a team and among individual players. Maddison and Son’s undeniable talent gives Spurs fans hope for a turnaround, but their inconsistency remains a concern.
Meanwhile, Eriksen’s resurgence serves as a reminder of his enduring quality and leaves one wondering what might have been had he remained at Tottenham. As Spurs aim to climb the table, the spotlight will remain on their key players to deliver when it matters most.
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