Mauricio Pochettino launches defence of under-fire Tottenham star Christian Eriksen

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino insists he is happy with the level currently being shown by midfielder Christian Eriksen.

The Argentine says the Denmark international is still committed to Spurs, despite the fact he is into the last year of his contract and has made no secret of wanting to experience a new challenge.

Eriksen has come under-fire quite often this season from fans for perhaps not giving his all on the pitch.

His form has been poor, and fans really got on his back this weekend after he was left on the pitch longer than Tanguy Ndombele against Everton.

Eriksen was ineffectual at Goodison Park, but Pochettino has defended the star.

He said (Sky Sports): “I don’t think the performance of Christian (Eriksen) is any different than when we signed him five-and-a-half years ago.

“His commitment is the same – sometimes we maybe look too much at whether a player has a one-year contract or a four-year contract.

“In the end it is about commitment – maybe players in the last year of their contract show more commitment than a player with four more years on their contract. But when you see Christian and you compare him to different seasons, he is the same player.”

TBR’s view – Tottenham fans unlikely to agree

The majority of Spurs fans will not share Pochettino’s views about £75,000-a-week playmaker Eriksen (Spotrac).

In most of their eyes, the 27-year-old’s form has dipped dramatically – to the point where he should no longer be considered to start games.

With Giovani Lo Celso fit again and Dele Alli slowly returning to form, Pochettino should really be looking beyond a player who does seemingly no longer want to be at the club.