There’s been a lot of talk about Christian Eriksen this season…

Back in September he overtook ‘Lord’ Nicklas Bendtner to become Denmark’s top scorer in the Premier League, before his hat-trick against Ireland two months later saw his country qualify for just their fifth ever World Cup.

He currently sits just four goals off his best return in a single season since joining Tottenham in 2013 and, with his 26^th birthday just a couple of weeks away, appears to be entering the prime of his career.

Often regarded as a more silent partner in Tottenham’s front four, Tottenham’s Great Dane goes about his business both on and off the pitch in subtle but devastating fashion.

Even his recent ‘give me a new contract’ plea was executed with the same nonchalance he seems to display when he has the ball at his feet:

“It’s up to the club whether they want to renegotiate or not,” he said after scoring against Everton a couple of weeks ago.

“I know they’ve talked about it so it’s going the right way. Of course, I’m not uninterested.“

Spurs are certainly getting value for money from the £70,000 contract he signed in 2016 – until Sunday’s scrappy 1-1 draw against Southampton Eriksen had appeared in every Premier League game this season.

But therein lies the problem – Tottenham looked like a different side without him.

Creativity, especially against defensive sides, has always been hard to come by for Spurs and Eriksen has often been the one player able to pick the toughest of locks.

But against Southampton Pochettino’s men looked devoid of options, relying instead on Sissoko’s brute force approach or hoping for a piece of magic from a flu-ridden Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.

As the perennial transfer window vultures circle around Spurs amid rumours of stalled contract talks with star players, it should be worth noting how Eriksen – one of the most sought after attacking midfielders in Europe – is pushing the club to tie him down to a new deal.

Sunday gave us a glimpse of what Tottenham could look like without the Great Dane. If the powers that be have any sense they’ll give him that contract he wants as soon as possible.