'He deserves it': Star Tottenham sold for £17m has now been named fifth best player in his country's history

A player Tottenham sold back in 2020 has just been named one of the greatest footballers in the history of his nation.

Spurs fans are all too familiar with waving goodbye to world class talent, having previously sold the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric to Real Madrid – albeit for respectable sums at £85m and £30m respectively.

However, a player Tottenham sold for only £17m has now been placed among some of the greats…

Christian Eriksen named fifth best player in history of Denmark

Christian Eriksen – who Spurs sold to Inter Milan back in January 2020 for a sum of £17m – has now been placed above Brian Laudrup to be crowned as the fifth best footballer to ever play for Denmark.

Jesper Christiansen and David Boysen – described as football experts for Danish news outlet Tipsbladet – made the decision.

The latter said: “Michael Laudrup as first. Peter Schmeichel gets second place, while Preben Elkjær and Allan Simonsen gets third and fourth respectively. Then Christian Eriksen enters in fifth place.

“We think he deserves it. Eriksen is a player who has always been seen to have something extra.”

In terms of appearances, the Manchester United No.14 is now the most capped player in the history of Denmark after winning his 133rd cap in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Serbia, having made his senior international debut at the age of just 18 years and 17 days.

Eriksen has impressively scored 42 goals in those 133 appearances.

Tottenham right to sell Denmark international

While Tipsbladet’s glowing verdict of Eriksen might make it seem like Spurs were wrong to sell the 32-year-old, we think the north Londoners timed the sale superbly.

The man from Middelfart never truly shone in Milan with just eight goals in 60 appearances, and Spurs did extremely well to secure £17m given the fact he only had six months remaining on his contract.

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou hails £55m striker who Tottenham looked at signing two years ago

Nevertheless, Eriksen can be proud of his newfound status as Denmark’s fifth greatest footballer ever – a title he richly deserves.