Frank: Eriksen could be Brentford’s best-ever signing

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Boss Thomas Frank believes Brentford have been rewarded for signing of Christian Eriksen after the Dane set up both goals in his side’s 2-0 win over Burnley.

In a game of few chances between two teams battling to remain in the Premier League, Eriksen’s brilliant cross was headed home by Ivan Toney to break the deadlock five minutes from time.


The former Tottenham star then put Toney through on goal deep into injury time where he was brought down in the box by Nathan Collins, who was sent off, with the striker dispatching the subsequent spot-kick for his fifth goal in two games.

Eriksen, who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch while playing for Denmark at the European Championship last summer, joined the Bees in January after being released from his contract by Inter Milan.

The 30-year-old was fitted with  an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, which helps to regulate his heart rate, but is not allowed to be used under Italian football’s regulations.

Frank insists he never had any doubts that Eriksen would play a significant part in helping his side’s quest to stay in the Premier League.

“For me it was not a gamble. I was pretty convinced he could help us,” Frank said.

“If he can do that he will be a fantastic signing, maybe the best-ever for Brentford.

“For me I knew it was not a bad injury he had. It was a heart condition so he wouldn’t have lost any speed.

“There was of course a mental issue. We had a lot of talks about that, but when he is saying ‘I want to play at the World Cup’, you know he is pretty calm and clear about what he wants.”

Eriksen’s brilliant ball for Toney’s opener was also applauded by Burnley boss Sean Dyche, whose side’s defeat leaves them deep in relegation trouble.

“There was not a long wrong with our performance, we gave away a really poor first goal, but I must say it was a fantastic cross from a very good player,” Dyche said.

“We should have dealt with it better, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and applaud a good piece of play from an opponent.”