Harry Redknapp cannot understand Tottenham situation, compares to Luka Modric

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Harry Redknapp has claimed on TalkSPORT (08:15am, Tuesday) that he cannot understand why the situation surrounding Christian Eriksen is affecting the whole squad, after Mauricio Pochettino told press that his side is unsettled.

Tottenham suffered a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, with Brazilian striker Joelinton scoring the only goal of the game after a mistake by Davinson Sanchez – who was caught out by the flight of Christian Atsu’s pass.

Pochettino claimed after the defeat that his squad is unsettled and is looking forward to the end of the transfer window, with Eriksen’s future continuing to have a negative impact on the side. He has entered the final 12 months of his contract.

It remains to be seen if Eriksen will remain at Spurs, or he will finally depart to join the likes of Real Madrid or another of Europe’s big-hitters. The Dane failed to start against Aston Villa and Newcastle, but did start at Manchester City.

Former Spurs boss Redknapp, though, cannot understand Pochettino’s complaining – and compared Eriksen’s scenario to that of Luka Modric during his time as manager of the north London club.

“He left him [Eriksen] out the first game and they were 1-0 down, and he came on and turned the game around,” Redknapp said. “He was brilliant. He left him out on the weekend [against Newcastle]. He says the atmosphere around the team is wrong, but what is wrong? I don’t know what is going on there.

“They have a squad that is strong enough to overcome that. Why was Eriksen on the bench? It is a strange one. If it is only Eriksen who is unsettled, what’s the problem? I had the same issue with Luka Modric, but he still played even though Chelsea wanted to double his money. He stayed for a year, he was fantastic. Eriksen looks the same type – he’s not a troublemaker.”

TBR’s view – Redknapp is right, is Pochettino running out of excuses?

Eriksen is a top player, and the potential of losing such an asset will hurt any side. But as Redknapp says, he is not one to cause a fuss, not one that can upset the apple cart. He is a humble, quiet player that goes about his business with no hassle.

So why is Pochettino blaming the speculation over the future of Eriksen – and other players including Jan Vertonghen – for the lack of camaraderie in his squad? Why is the Eriksen saga the reason for the defeat to Newcastle?

Pochettino is running out of excuses and needs to hold his hands up and say that his players were beaten on Sunday by a side that wanted it more.