Thursday 18 December 2014 14:16, UK
Christian Eriksen can become one of the Premier League's best playmakers, according to his Tottenham team-mate Jan Vertonghen.
Eriksen arrived at White Hart Lane in 2013, in the wake of Gareth Bale's record-breaking move to Real Madrid.
Eriksen, 22, has had a slow start with Spurs but with three goals in his last six matches, and a strong showing in the Capital One Cup quarter-final win over Newcastle, he has earned the praise of former Ajax team-mate Vertonghen.
“As a playmaker, I think he can be one of the best in the Premier League," defender Vertonghen said. "I've played with him since he was 16 or 17, so probably for six or seven years now. He's improving every season.
"In the end of his Ajax days, I think they were a bit critical because his stats weren't as good as they should be, they said, but I think he shows now that he can score and get assists as well - and he's a very hard worker.
"He's in first (for training) and he's on the pitch until the last minute and I'm a big fan of his and I'm happy I convinced him to come here."
Vertonghen added that Eriksen's form would lift him to the level of modern Tottenham greats Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart.
"He can reach their level, 100 per cent," the Belgium international said.
"I know Luka and Rafael better as they're playing in my era, but I know the reputation of Hoddle and Gascoigne and I think Christian can be one of the better players Spurs have ever had."
After their win against Newcastle in the Capital One Cup, Tottenham now prepare for a two-legged semi-final against third-tier Sheffield United
