Sebastien Bassong says Christian Eriksen didn’t want to return to Tottenham Hotspur after it was suggested that Antonio Conte should have signed the playmaker in the summer.
The former Spurs defender agreed that Conte’s side lacks that creative spark in the middle of the park, but he feels it’s hard for the Italian to find those players with creativity, as well as someone who meets his very high defensive demands.
Someone like Rodrigo Bentancur, when he is provided with the freedom, showcases that magic for his team and he has been one of the best players in Europe this season.
But should Spurs have pushed for Eriksen when the 120-cap Denmark international was a free transfer in the summer?
The 30-year-old, who had just spent six months at Brentford after his return from a health scare, joined Manchester United instead, where he is now a key figure under Erik ten Hag.
Nonetheless, when discussing Tottenham’s creative issues, Bassong shared his thoughts on Eriksen, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
“They went back for him, but I don’t think Christian Eriksen wanted to go back to Tottenham,” said Bassong. “It’s difficult to come back to your ex-club and he had such a good time at Tottenham.
“But I agree, they are lacking creativity. Antonio Conte being Antonio Conte, with the way he plays. It’s difficult to stick somebody who is going to have the same work ethic, the heart that he demands and to have creativity. It’s either one or the other.
“For him, he’s not going to stay for long. But, at the moment, he is the manager.”
TOTTENHAM WITH AND WITHOUT CONTE
The issue with Spurs is that, under Conte, a player of Eriksen’s ilk doesn’t suit them. That was proven when the duo worked together at Inter Milan.
But, if the Spurs boss were to leave in the summer, then it changes things big time.
Depending on who Daniel Levy appoints as the club’s next manager, he might be someone that doesn’t play a wing-back system and likes to pack the midfield, in which case, that ball carrier and player who likes to sit inside pockets will be needed.
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