Brentford fans have become all too accustomed to saltyness from sneering journalists, or ‘big club’ fans with once upon a time status, for doing things differently – in fact many now thrive on the ‘Bus Stop In Hounslow’ ‘#TeamsLikeBrentford’ insults as our modest but confident rise looks set to continue against all the odds. And we’ll continue to laugh it all off.
Usually, almost all of the attempted belittlement has been regarding how we’ve scaled the divisions with ‘non league’ attendances, playing in a ‘tin pot’ stadium, or by using ‘mumbo jumbo’ statistics, and not by simply selling out to a dubious, overseas owner then chucking a bank load of cash at over priced transfers all pimped through one agent. Until now that is… now we are the brunt of snide comments and a gazillion reports about Christian Eriksen being too good for the Bees’ pub team.
Christian Eriksen’s signing back in January was the feel good transfer window story of the decade… we’ve said many times on the Beesotted podcast that for the Dane to have recovered from his near death Euros nightmare and play football again at any level would have been stunning, but for Eriksen to have taken like a duck to water back in the Premier League, and on the International stage once more, is truly remarkable. We are all so proud to be part of his resurrection.
It is true that Eriksen has transformed the tail end of the season in TW8 – but he is not the only reason we have won five of our last six matches – even though his arrival, and the stature of the player, has clearly been the catalyst for other players raising their own games. Equally, the return of all the players who had made the start to the campaign so successful has been a big factor to the great run of performances that has some now predicting a top-half finish rather than a last day squeaky bum fixture with Leeds that could decide our survival.
The visit of Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday will have all the click bait hounds and press hacks salivating at the easily harvested viewing numbers of what will basically be one regurgitated story – “Eriksen Linked To Tottenham Return”… “White Hart Lane Recall From Born Again Dane”… “Too Good For Brentford Somebody Save Christian”… Write your own, then swap out the names Newcastle United, West Ham United.. and there will probably even be a Fulham link at some stage soon now they’re back in the Prem… we’ve become used to them already… we won’t be surprised.
But, in my view at least (and I must admit I have convinced myself CE21 will be staying with us), the real debate is, after going through all he has in the past 12 months, would he really want to risk going elsewhere in the close season ahead of the World Cup he set his dreams on appearing in? The first name on the team sheet, with fellow Danes all around him, living in South West London, one of the most desirable areas of the country, learning about the Brentford way and the possibility of moving into the coaching or business side of football if he chose to retire – I think that trumps the big name clubs who think they can click their fingers and he will come-a-running.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being naive, big money talks, so there’s still every chance Eriksen may move on to pastures new this summer regardless of how much fun (expected or otherwise) he is having playing in Thomas Frank’s exciting team – but it’s way off being a gimme we will lose our man – and I said from day one, there’s a very big chance he will fall in love with little old Brentford. With all the talk about his well being focusing on the medical condition of his heart, maybe the emotionally rewarding and uplifting heart-warming effects of our club have been overlooked. He’s got everything he and his family truly needs right where he is.
As I’ve said, I’m happy to admit that I’ve convinced myself that Christian Eriksen will remain a Brentford player for next season….. then get his coaching licence…. then take over from Thomas Frank when he is eventually tempted away to take over the Danish national side… as you can see I really have committed to this!
If all (or indeed any) of that happens, remember you read it here first!
Dave Lane
What do you think? Share your thoughts on @beesotted Twitter or leave a message in the comment field below.
Let’s all hope you are right on this one. What the naysayers seem to forget is that little old Brentford are now one of the highest ranked teams in the World – and they are there on merit. also, as you rightly said he is playing for a special club. Brentford is not a soulless club using billionaires money as they play with their trophy – until they get bored and move onto something else. A trophy club has no heart, no soul and the players do not become wedded to the philosophy that is espoused. Sure there will be plenty who will play for Brentford as a stepping stone, then there are others, Sergi Canos types that share the vision. Eriksen is 30, he reputation established beyond doubt, he has a life threatening medical condition that could cause death every time he walks onto a football pitch. Every week I hold my breath in trepidation. He is presumably well rewarded financially by Brentford, but the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham could probably easily splash another 2 or 3 million a year – or more. At his stage of his career, with his heart condition money is irrelevant if he collapses and dies on a football field somewhere.
No doubt Eriksen is brave, very brave to be back playing football, but he would know he needs to be always as safe as possible with his condition. He has proven his worth, his reputation will never be tarnished, he has a young family (I think) and a very nice partner. He has a future at Brentford but would be cast away at just about every other premier league club the day he was deemed surpass to requirements. Why would anyone in his position risk all that when he can remain at Brentford (the little Denmark of Football) and play well, be protected and be happy.
Who knows how long he can continue playing with hiss heart condition – it is not fixed, it is still there. Will he play another week, another month, another season or even 5 seasons. the odds are his career has already been truncated, but no one knows by how much.
Let’s just all hope his final days on the football field are in the red and white stripes of Brentford for as long as he fells capable to do so.
Christian’s world cup ambitions may be a factor. Being almost guaranteed game-time galore at Brentford, could make us a handy launch pad. After that, other clubs can offer more, in terms of sporting ambitions as well as earnings. Players’ gratitude to, or fondness for a club, rarely prevents them pursuing their own goals; where silverware generally trumps legacy. But that does not require us to buy into the arrogant dismissal of our hopes, or ignore that we do have a lot to offer. Whether it is enough; time will tell, but let us be honest, is it not brilliant to even be having this conversation.