CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN has been benched for Tottenham’s opening game of the season against Aston Villa – amid speculation over the playmaker’s Spurs future.
The Danish midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Real Madrid all summer.
But the 27-year-old rejected a move to Old Trafford on deadline day in order to target a switch to La Liga.
Instead the Spurs ace is hoping to force through a move to Real Madrid, but Bernabeu boss Zinedine Zidane is still hoping to dislodge £150million-rated Paul Pogba from United.
Eriksen’s back-up hope of joining Atletico is also fading as Real’s James Rodriguez remains their priority before the European transfer window shuts on August 31.
As a result of the transfer speculation Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has left the Dane out of the starting 11 to face Premier League newbies Aston Villa.
Record £65m signing Tanguy Ndombele does start, though, making his debut alongside Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks in midfield.
Dele Alli is still ruled out with a hamstring injury.
New midfielder Giovani Lo Celso also misses out on the game.
The Argentine was signed from Real Betis for a loan fee of £15m and an obligation to pay £38m on a permanent deal should Spurs qualify for the Champions League.
Heung-min Son is serving the second of a three-game ban, leaving Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela leading the line up top with Harry Kane.
