There is a lot of revisionism here, I see..
1) At his worst he was not playing worse than Lo Celso at his best. People keep on saying how he was shit in his last 18 months... while I agree with last 6 (and in the end was mostly unused) during previous 12 he played 4100 minutes, scored 10 and assisted 16 goals across EPL and ECL. Lo Celso has been here now for ~18 months, has played 3000 minutes; and in ECL+EPL scored 2 goals and created 3 assists. Literally he is not even qualified to lick last full season Eriksen boots. In terms of strenght if Eriksen would be England national football squad, Lo Celso would be something like Latvia or Luxembourg. It is painfully obvious. Also does not cut it in other top team... check for Lo Celso as well who was ditched by PSG.
2) All the talk how he left on bad terms and did not care at all - Mou has rebuffed that many times. Told he was professional and did his thing when called upon. Of course he was not as good as at his peak, no one is denying that. But he still trained, he still came off the bench and quite often impacted the games from the bench. He came out, said he wanted a new challenge and that should have been it - we should have sold him in summer. Why Poch thought it would be good idea to keep someone here against their will is just weird. But some people here make it seem like he would have kept saying how happy he is and how he is signing new deal right away, and then secretly signed for Chelscum or Woolwich. Not even nearly the truth again.
And make no mistake- if our alternative would be either to resign Eriksen or some talented creative midfielder from continent that has proven his talent - sure I would be all in for buying a great upcoming talent!
But if alternative is either to play with PEH+Sissoko CM pair and Ndombele as nr 10. Or say ship out Sissoko, drop Ndombele next to PEH and use Eriksen as nr 10... there is absolutely no question which of those options would make us stronger. none at all.
It would have to happen on reasonable terms and he would have to be motivated, of course.
Say we received 20 mil for Eriksen services last year.
He has contract worth of 220 k pounds per week (~11 m per year) and contract lasts further 3,5 years. This would tally up to 38,5 m in this contract time.
Now let's assume that he would be okay for paying half what he moved for (10 mil) and he himself would be okay with 40% salary cut to come back (132k per week) and sign contract with same duration (total value would be 24 mln )
That would mean that we get net income of 10 mil (sales price - purchase price) from this back-and-forth and his moves to subsidize the wages.
And remaining part would be 14 mil across 3,5 seasons = it would be same as getting Eriksen to sign for 77 th per week salary.
So - Inter options -
- either to take total 30 mil loss (transfer+salary) or keep paying 11 mil per year for player that is not used
- Eriksen options - either keep collecting big check but have no playing time ; or take 40% pay cut and return to club where he built the reputation
All of it happening in those terms are not likely. I agree. Cause once more he would have to be motivated + both Inter + Eriksen would have to accept significant losses. But if they both would be up to take such a deal, we would be in better position then we are currently.
