Denmark is loaded with many quality football players, but who are the top five football players in Denmark as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup?
It will undoubtedly be a selection headache for the coach of the Danes’ but after an impressive Euro 2020 and a qualification series, here are the 7 best football players in Denmark this year.
1. Christian Eriksen
Position: Midfielder
Age: 30.
Christian Eriksen is not just one of the best footballers in Denmark, but also on of the best Danish footballers of all time.
After a challenging Euro 2020, where Erikson suffered health issues, the midfielder has managed to bounce back and helped Denmark qualify for the World Cup p.
Since then, he has returned to the Premier League, first with Brentford and now Manchester United. However, he returned to the international scene scoring within two minutes of introduction to the game.
Eriksen continues to dictate in the middle of the pitch for United and Denmark and is one of the country’s top five leading goalscorers in history; he is going to be important at the world with his 38 goals.
2. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Position: Midfielder
Age: 27
Denmark is very strong in the middle of the pitch, and one of their strongholds is Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, whose position and style of play allow Christian Eriksen to thrive attacking-wise.
The box-to-box midfielder was interestingly left out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but he has taken it as a source of motivation.
He has three goals and an assist in the Premier League with Spurs this season and has had a fine 2022 with the national team with one goal and an assist in seven games.
3. Simon Kjaer
Position: Centre-back
Age: 33
What’s a strong team without good defense? At least, they say, the best form of attack is defense.
Simon Kjaer will be one of the most experienced players for Denmark at the World Cup as he seconds the national appearance record behind Peter Schmeichel.
The 33-year-old has managed to move around the most significant leagues in Europe and will lead the team from the back.
It’s not only on footballing terms that Kjaer leads the team but also in other areas, as he was strong when Eriksen experienced his cardiac arrest at the Euro, becoming the first respondent, and keeping the team together.
4. Joakim Maehle
Position: Full-back
Age: 25
Joakim Maehle already sealed his spot when he scored the goal that qualified the team for the World Cup against Austria.
His goal ratio is an enviable one for not just defenders but even some strikers on the international scene.
Hence, he becomes an asset attack-wise and defensively; he already showed this at the Euro 2020 and has continued to remain consistent even at Atalanta in Italy.
Beyond his consistency, his ability also allows the manager to be flexible with his formation and to toggle between 433 and 343.
5. Yussuf Poulsen
Position: Forward
Age: 28
Remember when Poulsen scored Denmark’s first goal in Russia four years ago and when he also did it again at Euro 2020?
There’s no doubt he will be instrumental again in Qatar; so far, the Leipzig forward remains in form and fitness.
The 6’4 striker is lethal in air, impressive in front of goal, and a fantastic super sub.
6. Thomas Delaney
Position: Midfield
Age: 26
26-year-old Delaney is the third man in a fantastic three-man midfield as he completes the set that had the duo of Christian Eriksen and Pierre Højbjerg.
The midfielder had three assists and a goal in the Qualification series of the world cup for Denmark.
The Sevilla man is a hardworking, commanding, and technically-gifted midfielder. He is undoubtedly one of the best football players in Denmark at the moment.
7. Kasper Schmeichel
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 35.
Thirty-five-year-old Kasper Schmeichel remains essential in any Denmark tournament, at least until he decides to hang his gloves.
He left Leicester City for Nice in the French Ligue 1, as shown in the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 remains the Danes’ first-choice goalkeeper.
He would also be crucial even if this is going to be his last World Cup and even his last international tournament with the Danish national team.
