Thomas Frank holds out for Christian Eriksen Brentford commitment

Brentford manager Thomas Frank remains optimistic that he will be able to persuade Christian Eriksen to extend his time at the club.

Prior to his return to professional football, the jury was out as to the level Christian Eriksen would be able to operate at after suffering a cardiac arrest at last summer’s Euro 2020.

Fast-forward to present-day, any questions have not only been answered but ultimately thrown out of court, with Brentford sitting fourth if a table were to be comprised since Eriksen’s first start.

Such has been his impact and as is customary, a host of clubs are now coming out of the water with interest in the 30-year-old’s whereabouts next season.

Previously a free agent, the Denmark international signed a six-month contract with the London club on deadline day in January and is yet to offer clarity over his plans beyond its expiry.

Breaking his silence a matter of days ago, Eriksen offered insight into the potential motivating factors behind his decision in an interview with Nordic streaming service, Viaplay.

"“I have different offers and options, which we are considering, and then we make a decision.“I would love to play Champions League football again. I know how much fun it is, but it isn’t essential for me.”Quotes: Manchester Evening News"

Bees manager Thomas Frank has remained stoic in the belief that his new star-man could stay at the Brentford Community Stadium, despite the list of clubs taking a vested interest growing by the day.

Addressing the media ahead of Brentford’s final game of the season on Sunday at home to Leeds, the inevitable question of an update on Eriksen arose for the Danish manager.

“I’d love to say 100% [that he’ll stay at Brentford],” Frank stated.

"“I’m convinced there is a good chance that he can wear a Brentford shirt [next season].”“If he signs with us everyone is going to be happy and the fans will build a statue of him outside the stadium”, stated the 48-year-old about what his fellow countryman can expect if he stays.”Via: Sky Sports"

Why Christian Eriksen is such a treasured asset

Brentford being the club that the former Ajax man made his return with just made sense, not least due to there being a contingent of six Danish players already at the club, but with the profile of player they distinctly lacked.

During the first half of the campaign, Frank’s side exhibited firepower in attack backed up by game runners both in midfield and defence but lacked a trequartista to piece it all together.

An Italian phrase, otherwise known as a number ‘10’, Bleacher Report offer a worthy definition of the role:

"“The trequartista needs superb ball skills, a good range of passing and confidence in possession. Defensive contribution is negligible, so someone plying their trade in this role can tailor their training specifically to take-ons, dribbling, through-balls and shooting.”"

The aforesaid serves as an apt description for Eriksen and offers insight into the attributes that he has brought of which bereaved Brentford before his arrival.

Leicester City and former club Tottenham Hotspur have been listed as the two teams at the front of the queue to secure Eriksen’s services, as per the Telegraph.

Assessing the two teams at a glance. Considering his relatively unsuccessful time at Inter Milan with Antonio Conte and a failure to see where he fits in the Italian’s 3-4-3 formation, Leicester may prove the more likely option.

With Brendan Rodgers expressing a desire to sign a creative midfielder amid Youri Tielemans’ likely departure, Christian Eriksen could prove a suitable replacement.