Christian Eriksen’s second coming at Inter was only a matter of time, at least according to his midfield predecessor Evaristo Beccalossi.
The Dane has finally nailed down a spot in the Nerazzurri’s starting XI after a difficult first year at the club.
He is a doubt for tomorrow’s match at Torino due to a knee problem but there is no question now that whenever he’s fit, Antonio Conte will pick him to start.
“I must admit, it’s been a bumpy ride for Eriksen,” Beccalossi, who spent six years delighting Inter fans with his performances between 1978 and 1994, explained in an interview for Friday’s print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport.
“You could never question his ability, but it was also clear he was struggling to settle in.
“I immediately saw great qualities, but I couldn’t understand the fact that Eriksen wasn’t able to express them.
“Now I’m one of the happiest because I love quality players like him.
“After all, it was only a matter of time.”
Next Beccalossi spoke on how things are now different for Eriksen, who joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020.
“The details around Eriksen are different,” he explained.
“The goal he scored from a free-kick in the Coppa Italia derby mustn’t remain in our memory, because he will always be capable of that shot.
“The important thing was the celebrations of everyone around him (after he scored).
“Conte worked so hard and his teammates pushed to get Christian back to the top.
“Psychologically you can find the right path from these details.
“Unfortunately Eriksen played and still plays in an empty San Siro.
“Had he been pushed on by 70,000 people, everything would have been easier for him.”
Beccalossi also commented on whether he thinks it was thanks to Eriksen or thanks to Conte that he has come good of late and is performing much more to the level expected of him.
“It was the victory of work and professionalism, of everyone,” he argued.
“He’s fitting in better, he’s understood which path to take and he’s gained self-esteem.
“Eriksen overcame his initial shyness and learned the language, but Conte and his staff were exceptional.
“They worked on his mentality, on tactics, on trust.
“Football is not like the PlayStation, you always need patience to achieve results.”
In conclusion, Beccalossi was asked what will happen next for Eriksen who has gone from seemingly being up for sale to being an important player in the Nerazzurri’s midfield.
“He is destined to improve even more, you will see that more goals will arrive, for example.
“Indeed, I want to wish him one thing and that he can soon receive the embrace of a full San Siro.
“It will make him shiver and make him feel the importance of the shirt he wears more.”
The 29-year-old Denmark international has made 23 appearances across all competitions this season, in which he has scored a single goal.
