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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.
ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.
Why Christian Eriksen makes the list
The creative hub around which Spurs revolve, even if that was never more indicated by how the form of team and player were so in sync. Once Eriksen started to drop off, by March, so did Mauricio Pochettino's side. While that is a concern for Spurs and reflective of the issues the Argentine manager has to finally fix, it is nothing like such a worry for the young Dane. Rather, that is precisely the kind of thing that happens to players who are just 23 and carry such a burden.
Greater consistency comes with age and mental development, which is why so many players are said to peak between 26 and 30, and Eriksen offered plenty to suggest he could be an even more decisive and dominant player by that age. He certainly showed a psychological fortitude at key moments here, as best shown by his six match winners, and the fact that three of them came after the 88th minute in games. Eriksen so often stepped up, and should be expected to do the same next season.
-- Miguel Delaney
The stats that tell the story
- Led Premier League with six goals outside the box this season. Shared league lead with 67 shots from outside the penalty area.
- Created 83 chances this season, fifth most in the league and 23 more than any other Tottenham player.
What the experts say
"Anyone as potent cannot be classed as a luxury player. Yet unlike many others, Eriksen doesn't require a team to be built around him. Instead, he offers fluidity and flexibility between the lines." - Richard Jolly
"... there's an efficiency about everything Eriksen does. He's simultaneously intelligent and busy, a No. 10 in the same mould as Chelsea's Oscar, a modern interpretation of the playmaker." - Michael Cox
"He's clever, he's incisive and he's as easy to mark as fog." - Iain Macintosh
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