Tottenham Hotspur

Christian Eriksen: 'Tottenham Hotspur partnerships feel natural'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 17 March 2018

Eriksen: 'Spurs partnerships feel natural'

Midfielder Christian Eriksen suggests that his partnerships with a number of Tottenham Hotspur teammates now feel "natural" after nearly five years at the club.

Midfielder Christian Eriksen has suggested that his performances have benefited from more familiarity with his teammates across a number of seasons.

While a number of the club's rivals generally have a high turnover when it comes to new arrivals, Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino has limited his incomings in the final third, with Eriksen, Dele Alli, Erik Lamela and Son Heung-min all having spent a significant period of time with the North London outfit.

Eriksen is nearing the end of his fifth campaign with Spurs, and the Danish playmaker has indicated that his respective partnerships with other players in the final third now feel "natural".

The 26-year-old told The Independent: "You can definitely train your awareness to be even better than it is. Of course, you start with a certain point of feelings and awareness on the pitch. But I think the more you get in positions, the more you get used to it, the more you get used to the tempo of your teammates, everything. It feels more and more natural, and quicker and quicker. Now it's taking off.

"It's something that you can learn with more games you play, and the more situations you've been in. We've played so many games together, we know what we can expect from each other. You can expect the ball in behind from me. You can expect Dele [Alli] to run. You can expect Harry [Kane] to be ready for the second ball or the first ball.

"It's about recognising the players around you. Before you get the ball, knowing where your teammates are. Or where the opposing players are. Then making and taking a decision really quick. So it's really just instinct in the game."

Eriksen has contributed nine goals and nine assists in 35 starts in the Premier League and Champions League this season.