August 30th, 2013. The day Spurs brought in the renowned youngster, Christian Eriksen, from the never depleting reserves of Ajax’s youth system.

Eriksen was one of seven players, known as the Magnificent 7, signed to fill the void left by Gareth Bale. “Spurs sold Elvis and bought the Beatles”, former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks said about the 2013 summer transfer window. The other members of the group included Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches, Nacer Chadli, and, of course, the everlasting Erik Lamela. Many Tottenham fans had an inkling the Dane was primed to rise and become the best business of the bunch, and during his tenure in North London he certainly recouped his 11 million euro transfer fee along with much more. The Tottenham teams of the next half decade went on to play the free-flowing, sweet sweet football that every fan dreams their club to play. And at the very heart of these squads, pulling the strings, was Tottenham’s very own maestro, Christian Eriksen.

In his full debut against Norwich City in 2013 he provided an assist in a 2-0 Spurs victory. His creative qualities on the ball were apparent, and over the course of his first season in lily white Spurs new number 10 grabbed the reigns of a rash and middling Tottenham side and pointed them in the right direction. On the turn of the new year to 2014, Eriksen hit the winner against Manchester United, at Old Trafford. Later the same season, down two goals to Southampton, the Dane took over and provided two goals and an assist in a thrilling comeback victory. Just a month later, Tottenham found themselves down 3-0 to West Bromwich. Again, it was the Late Show with Christian Eriksen as he scored a stoppage time equalizer to salvage a point. At the end of his debut season for Spurs he took home Tottenham Player of the Season with 10 goals and 13 assists registered to his name, and slowly, the pain of watching Gareth Bale leave eased.

You could go on and on about the truly remarkable late game heroics Eriksen pulled out of nowhere. He was the shining star of a Tottenham team that went from a wishy-washy Europa League side to a perennial Champions League contender. His stunning strike against Chelsea to give Tottenham their first win at Stamford Bridge in 28 years. His curling free-kick against Sheffield United to reach the FA Cup final. Eriksen was the pulse, and finally, Tottenham was the pride of London.

Christian Eriksen celebrates scoring a free-kick on Boxing Day against West Bromwich with the words “To Dare Is To Do” looking on. (Zimbio)

In late March of 2018 Eriksen became the second player in history of the Premier League to record 10+ assists in four straight league campaigns, along with David Beckham. In Tottenham’s first game in their new, glistening stadium, Eriksen provided a goal and an assist in a 2-0 victory over Palace. The Dane was critical to everything boss Mauricio Pochettino was building at Spurs. Once, Champions League football seemed like a pipe dream, but now, it was a reality, and Tottenham were pushing the best sides in Europe on the biggest stage.

It was not just Eriksen’s magnificent moments on the pitch that made Tottenham supporters around the globe pull for the Dane. He was brilliantly hilarious off the pitch as well with a certain sense of dry humor that could always conjure a laugh. The way he carried himself was relatable to the average fan and it provided a connection to a player that so many admired. He was one-of-a-kind and was just as calm and composed in interviews as he was with the football at his feet.

The way of Christian’s departure from North London to Milan left many with a poor taste in their mouth. Fans booed as the run of poor form continued for the Dane as more and more reports of his exit mounted. But the end is not how Spurs fans should look back at his time at Tottenham. A fantastic servant of the club for more than five years. The club’s all-time Premier League assist leader with 63 (to go with 51 goals). And the primary cog in turning Tottenham into a fully firing Porsche engine that was not afraid of any team they went up against.

A once in a generation player that has now moved on, and Spurs must move on as well. They need to find a new identity in attack with their ever present maestro now gone. Whether it be new boy Gio Lo Celso, or a combination of players, a new chapter has begun at Tottenham. Here’s to hoping they find a way to play the fluid, spirited football they played so many times under control of the Dane. And here’s to Eriksen rediscovering his prime form in Italy.

Eriksen-sen-sen he’s our number 23.

Eriksen-sen-sen he’s a yid like you and me.

To the left to the right, he’s our midfield dyanmite.

When he plays in lily white, he makes Ozil look shite.

Eriksen-sen-sen he’s our number 23.

So long, Maestro.