Exclusive: Bent suggests benched Spurs star set for Brighton start after ‘Kick up the backside’
Darren Bent says he expects Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen to replace Heung-min Son for their Boxing Day clash against Brighton.
The former Spurs and England hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that it is time for the Danish international to stand up and be counted after an indifferent season so far.
Son is set to be suspended for Thursday’s home tie against the Seagulls, although Jose Mourinho has confirmed the club have appealed the South Korean’s red card versus Chelsea.
With Eriksen having not made a single Premier League start under the Portuguese boss, Bent says the Dane has a point to prove, especially after seeing Toby Alderweireld handed a new contract.
Asked if Eriksen would take Son’s place against Brighton, Bent told Football Insider: “Yeah. Obviously, we’ve seen Toby sign his new contract and this might be the kick in the backside Eriksen needs.
“Mourinho’s openly said he wants Vertonghen and Eriksen to sign their new contracts. Now that Heung-min Son’s out, you’d like to think Eriksen can come in, make a really big impact, back to the Eriksen that we know, Mourinho can convince him to sign a new contract and stay.
“It is time for Eriksen to stand up and be counted, he’s got the ability to make sure he does that.”
Eriksen has only started half of his 14 Premier League appearances this season, with just four substitute outings in the club’s last seven league games.
In other Tottenham news, Bent has ripped into a senior player who “flatters to deceive” and is “killing” the team’s balance.