“If I don’t like it, I’m somewhere on the beach doing something else,” Christian Eriksen told me sky sports. “Whether it’s sunny or rainy, even if it’s snowing, I still enjoy football.” Christian Eriksen is still deeply loved in the football world.

“It’s always been the same thing, the love of it, that feeling of being a football player, being on the pitch, chasing the ball. Obviously, you want to win and play in the best team possible. But I think the love of football never leaves you.”

His new team, Wolfsburg, struggled in the Bundesliga. Earlier this month, they lost 8-1 to Bayern Munich. “It’s not good at all.” But Eriksen scored to help the team rebound with a win over St. Pauli. “We have a lot to prove to ourselves,” he said.

He also provided the cross for the equalizer against Heidenheim at the weekend. Watching him play up close at the Volkswagen Arena on a cold day, fans of the midfield maestro can rest assured that even at 33 years of age, Eriksen’s old magic is still there.

The five chances he created in the game were as many as his teammates created in between, including a beautiful ball that should have led to the opening goal. When playing on the right, he drops deep, roams around and is free to roam.

In the pomp and circumstance of Tottenham Hotspur, Eriksen did all this and more, becoming arguably the preeminent creative force in the Premier League. That’s a big claim, but the numbers back it up. No one has provided more assists or created more chances than the Dane during his Spurs career.

Intuition for Wolfsburg

He also scored more goals from outside the box than any other Premier League player at the time. Wolfsburg fans have yet to see a player like this, but the Rolls-Royce-driving player feels at home in Volkswagen country. “I just had a gut feeling that it would be right for me,” he explained.

“I could see myself playing for Wolfsburg and trying out the Bundesliga. It’s a very open league. A team can be 3-0 up in the last 10 minutes and still end up 3-3. There’s a lot going on and every team wants to play a little bit. It’s an exciting league to watch and play in.”

It is worth noting that 16 years have passed since Eriksen made his professional debut for Ajax. “Has it been 16 years since my debut? I’ve been very happy these 16 years,” he said. “It’s still fun.” But the hair is getting thinner and those teammates are getting younger.

“All the new players that are coming out, they were born in the 2000s, even the late 2000s. It’s weird,” he said with a smile, amused by the thought. “I’m surrounded by such young kids. At the same time, even though I’m obviously old from a football perspective, I don’t feel old.”

More time looking at the computer

So, how has football changed in the past 16 years? Where to start. “It went through different phases in terms of possession, then some tactical work, then possession again, then a lot of pressing, then a lot of athleticism,” he explained.

“Now, there are a lot of statistics and you have to hit a lot of numbers, so you need to spend more time looking at the computer. You have to hit a certain number of kilometers in training to make sure you are in the right position for the next race.

“A few years ago, that didn’t exist. It was just a hunch. Are you feeling good? OK, you’re ready. Now, everything else is taken into consideration. What’s your load? How many high-speed runs do you need to do? How many extra sprints do you need to do?”

Maybe I’m not suitable for him

He sounded confused. “Now even the forwards are the first to press. Double runs, triple runs.” But he has been able to adapt. He had that moment at Euro 2021 that no one will ever forget and he has done that.

He almost lost more than his career that day in Copenhagen, but his recovery added more chapters to his football story. Brentford had offered a route back during his three seasons at United. But there was no role for him under Rubén Amorim.

“As a player, I don’t think he would have looked at me the way I did in any sense. Of course, then you struggle a little bit in football. But personally we have a good relationship and there’s no problem. He has an idea. Maybe I’m a player whose style doesn’t quite suit him.”

Brentford safe for Frank

He insists he wants the best for the club and believes “a new manager will bring new ideas” and sees it as “another chance for everyone”. Especially Kobe Minu? “I wish anyone the best, whether it’s Kobe or anyone else. I wish the club success.”

Eriksen is also well-placed to assess Spurs’ problems, having played under Thomas Frank at Brentford. Was he surprised by Frank’s struggles? “Yes and no,” he said. “I mean, there’s more pressure. Of course, Brentford has been a safe place for a long time.”

He added: “Now he’s in a new place with new eyes and people want something else. I hope he has time to change it and see what he can do. But I know football moves very quickly and this week there are a lot of new ideas and next week will be another one.”

If Eriksen sounds like he’s been through everything in football, one wonders what’s left of him. All he can think about is the World Cup playoffs in March. “The opportunity to play in the World Cup will be special. That’s the first goal and hopefully a big tournament after that,” he said.

Enjoy what lies ahead

He has one more season left on his contract at Wolfsburg and he is determined to see progress. “We’ve lost so many games this season. But we’re playing better now than we were before.” As for personal goals, well, they never change.

“Just to keep improving, just to have fun on the football field. I mean, that’s what I’ve been doing for years.” But does he appreciate it all more after what he’s been through? “I guess I’m just enjoying the moment like I always have,” he added.

“But at the same time, I know what you have to lose. So, I’m happy with what I have. Maybe I don’t appreciate it more, but I’m just enjoying the future. “One thing is for sure, we should cherish every opportunity to see Christian Eriksen play.