Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that speculation over Christian Eriksen’s future this summer affected the Dane’s performances.
The 24-year-old has made a slow start to the new Premier League campaign, after a summer full of speculation over his future.
With little progress in contract talks last season, there was reported interest from Italy with claims that he was holding out for a deal closer to £100,000 a week, as noted by The Times.
However, Eriksen finally put pen-to-paper on a contract worth £70,000-a-week with the extension running until 2020, as he can now look forward to fulyl focusing on football matters with his future resolved and Pochettino is equally as pleased with the outcome.
“It is important for him and for us. It stops the rumours and he can be focused on playing football. That is the last time that we talk about Eriksen’s contract. It’s good for him and the club and all are happy.
“To be honest, we were always behind him, trying to help but subconsciously maybe the speculation can affect you when you’re in process to negotiate your future.
“Sometimes it’s difficult but he is happy to stay and there is no doubt he will improve his performance in the future.”
The former Ajax star scored seven goals and added nine assists in his debut season in the Premier League, and he has continued to establish himself as a key figure at White Hart Lane with a further six goals and 15 assists last year.
In turn, given his influential role in the side, it’s no surprise that Pochettino is a relieved man to get the contract sorted once and for all, and having picked up five points from their opening three league games this year, the focus will now solely be on building on their solid start with Eriksen playing a leading part in that push.