Eriksen: Once Inter came up it wasn't a difficult choice, I want new challenge

In an interview with British broadcaster BBC, Inter new boy Christian Eriksen has spoken on the difficulties he faced during what proved to be his final months with Tottenham Hotspur.

“England, for the last few years, was very hectic. After what I said in the summer, it was just about 'when is he going to leave?' Every game it was 'Is he leaving? Is he not leaving?' Of course, a lot of people were speaking about it,” he began.

“Even the fans you see on the street were like 'Thank you, goodbye and good luck'. But I was still there. It was a bit weird. In my head and for my body, it is good that I am in a new place and I can start again.

“I wouldn't say it affected me. In England, when your contract is shorter, it is like you have to leave now. You are gone. In the end I played about 30 games that were like goodbye games. It was like 'this might be his last game', 'this might be his last game'. It kept rolling.

“In my head I was ready to try something new but felt if nothing came, I was still ready to play for my place. I was not a different player in that sense. But I was in and out of the team. However, even if I had a four-year contract, this season would have been difficult after the Champions League final.”

He then spoke on how it felt to be a scapegoat for the club's fans.

“If you have a short contract, you will be the black sheep. Of course, I did the interview. I was very honest. I felt I had to be honest. I didn't want to hide like a lot of players do. Everyone is different. I was honest. I wanted to say it out loud.

“I did get the blame for a lot of stuff, for being the bad guy. I read I was the bad person in the changing room, that ever since I said I wanted to leave, it was no good me being there. To be honest, over the last few years, if anything came up, any player would think about leaving but I was the guy who said it publicly.”

Next he was asked when he realised that he would be leaving Spurs.

“Not until it got serious. In the end it comes down to what Tottenham wants to have and what Inter, or any other club, want to pay.

“In the end you are controlled by Tottenham. You are controlled by Levy. He says yes or no. You try to be as professional as you can be and not to force anything through in any way.”

The 27-year-old then went on to reveal that there had been a possibility, albeit slight, of him joining Inter for a few years prior to his January arrival.

“For a few years but it was never really likely. We did speak to them of course and we did hear what was possible and what wasn't possible. But, in the end, me personally, I wanted a new challenge. To stay in the Premier League would have been an easy solution.

“Of course, staying at Tottenham would also have been a solution but, for me, it just came down to wanting to try a new challenge in a new country. Once Inter came up it really wasn't a difficult choice.”

Next he was asked how hard he thinks it will be to adapt having joined Inter midway through the 2019/20 season.

“Historically, it is not that easy to come in January. Everyone is at the same fitness level because they have trained together all season. I need to fit in with how they play and learn the different things they do.”

In conclusion Eriksen spoke on the likelihood of him coming up against compatriot Simon Kjaer in this weekend's Milan derby.

“I have spoken to him, even before, when he was over here and we were speaking to Inter back then. He was not that far away at Atalanta. It will be the first time I have played against him so that will be fun. Hopefully we will show where we are in the league.”

Since his arrival on a four and a half year deal, the Danish international has played twice for Inter but is yet to score or provide any assists.