Christian is a top player and amazing friend... and I hope he doesn’t have a good game today!
THERE will be a special heartfelt hug in the tunnel this afternoon as Kasper Schmeichel steps out with Christian Eriksen again.
The Denmark international stars might be on opposite sides when Leicester tackle Brentford, but they are brothers in arms with an unbreakable bond.
It was Foxes’ keeper Schmeichel who comforted Eriksen’s partner Sabrina (right) pitchside as the midfielder ‘died’ during the game against Finland in Copenhagen last summer.
She is the mother of Eriksen’s two young children and went through hell as the stricken star was taken away on a stretcher in front of a stunned crowd.
The 30-year-old collapsed with no one near him and but for the rapid work of team-mates and team doctor Morten Boesen he would no longer be with us.
Eriksen revealed afterwards that he was ‘dead’ for five minutes after suffering a cardiac arrest and Boesen said candidly, “He was gone”. Now he’s back and the former Tottenham star is playing a pivotal role in Brentford’s attempt to escape relegation and has been called back into the Denmark squad.
Schmeichel could not be happier – but hopes his big pal does not turn it on this afternoon.
They have been in regular touch since the gut-wrenching scenes of Euro 2020, though Schmeichel revealed there has been radio silence this week.
The Leicester keeper said: “It’s going to be a massive game for us.
“They had a tough time and they seem to have found some form again, and it’s no coincidence that my international colleague has had something to do with that.
“I’m buzzing for him. People seem to forget he’s still Christian Eriksen.
“People seem surprised that he can still play football!
“He’s a world-class football player and I just really hope that he doesn’t have a good game against us!
“But, no, seriously, he’s a topclass guy.
“He’s an amazing man with an
amazing family and I’m really, really happy for him. I’m looking forward to spending a week with him with Denmark.”
Schmeichel recalls that speaking to his mate shortly after the incident, he was quickly convinced football had not seen the last of Eriksen.
He added: “I spoke to him a few times during his time out and I was never really in doubt that this day would come because he is still
Christian and he is still the competitor and the world-class player that he’s always been.
“You know, he’s been out less time than my team-mate James Justin was with a cruciate.
“Christian is a fit man and a top professional. It will be a huge day for the Danish people when they get to see him in their shirt against Serbia on March 29.
“The atmosphere will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
“But I’ve not spoken to him at all this week – we’ll keep it professional this week and then spend some time together.”