Some Tottenham Hotspur fans have taken to social media to defend midfielder Christian Eriksen after football journalist Martin Samuel labeled the Dane as arrogant.
Samuel made the ridiculous claim in his column in the Daily Mail in a piece in relation to Kieran Trippier’s superb free-kick against Fulham at the weekend.
The England international recreated his set-piece form from the World Cup, where he scored a stunner against Croatia and followed it up at Wembley to score the matchwinner against the Premier League newcomers.
Samuel referenced the fact that Spurs had not scored a direct free-kick since October 2015, when Eriksen found the back of the net in an away match at Swansea City and decided to criticise our regular free-kick taker.
He said in his column: “It was October 4, 2015, when Tottenham last scored a goal from a direct free-kick in the Premier League; two in the same game, in fact, both taken by Christian Eriksen.
“That means it is close to three years since Eriksen last did his job from a dead-ball shooting position. Yet when Tottenham got a free-kick within range against Fulham on Saturday, he still insisted on taking it, ushering Kieran Trippier aside.
“Eriksen missed, twice. Later in the game, when Trippier finally got over the ball in a similar position, he scored.
“Tottenham are the last club one would single out for not affording English players opportunities, but does this not sum up the way homegrown players are viewed?
“Trippier proved an excellent free-kick taker for England at the World Cup, but Eriksen was not demoted and too arrogant to step away. Imagine it the other way around.
“If an English player had missed consistently for close on three years — including 16 times last season — and the club had a superb, foreign, dead-ball specialist on the staff, the lad from Bury would be told in no uncertain terms who the new taker was. Why didn’t the same apply?”
Tottenham fans have questioned Samuel’s logic in his description of Eriksen and have moved to defend the player.
I don't know if the TV cameras caught this, but Eriksen stood and applauded the free-kick on Saturday after it went in.
— Seb Stafford-Bloor (@SebSB) August 21, 2018
What an utterly bizarre thing to write
— Robert Galloway (@robert_gallo91) August 21, 2018
He is an utter tool as a journalist.
— Nick bubbs the Greek (@bubble334170) August 21, 2018
Let's be honest, shit journo's like Fat Samuel make up shit stories for attention for there shit downmarket red top rags.
Seeing this rubbish makes you wonder how easy it is to be a football journo.— Luke Millard (@LMills85) August 21, 2018
Christian Eriksen is probably the most least arrogant footballer I’ve ever seen on a pitch! What a load of bollo*ks!!
— Stuart Clough (@stuclough85) August 21, 2018
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Martin Samuel certainly does seem to have it in for Spurs, with his regular digs at the club. But to describe Christian Eriksen as arrogant, is pathetic, totally unjustified, and way off-beam. Our highly talented Dane is one of the most likeable guys in football.
obviously one of the moaning gooner sh-t like those saying we should be deducted points . christian is probably the least likely player to be called arrogant you could find . hes a team player first and foremost.and a nice guy so lay off arsehole
obviously one of the moaning gooner sh-t like those saying we should be deducted points . christian is probably the least likely player to be called arrogant you could find . hes a team player first and foremost.and a nice guy so lay off arsehole .go play with your self at the emirates and leave proper football reporting to people who know a lot more than you.
Samuel has a point. Always thought Eriksen was selfish at times when he could have pass the ball. Right too about the dead balls and corners that fall short of target.
Why not give young and clinical Trippier the chance to show his skills.
One should be given the position for earnedbhard work, precision and result not because of he has been doing it for years. Competition can only make players work harder, not complacent.
We earn so many corners that have little chance of conversion to goals when balls fall short of their targets.
I say let the best man take the role.