Sampdoria midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard admits Christian Eriksen has always been a role model to him: ‘I studied many details of his game.’

The Sampdoria and Denmark midfielder has one goal and one assist in three appearances at UEFA Euro 2020.

The 20-year-old, who has been linked with Tottenham, Barcelona and Milan, has replaced Eriksen after that the Inter playmaker suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in his side’s debut game against Finland.

“I can say that he inspires me. Eriksen is one of the players I have looked to emulate the most,” Damsgaard said at a press conference.

“I admired him a lot when I was younger, and since then, I’ve always played as a No.10, just like he did, so it was hard not to look up to him.

“I studied many details of his game and how he finds spaces. I’ve tried to include him in my game since I was little. Then it was crazy to be able to be with him in the national team and see how he trains.

“We play in different roles, I am a little further forward than him, as he plays as a central midfielder,” the Samp starlet continued.

“I am a creator who has to create chances, more of a winger, who takes up wide positions and must find the right spaces and find a connection between the midfield and the forwards to break down defences.”

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