Denmark has announced its 23-man roster for the 2018 World Cup and Nicklas Bendtner is not on it. Danish coach Age Hareide did not believe he would be fit in time for matches against Peru and Australia which will be vital if the Danes are going to advance to the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, here are three players who will make the plane to Russia and to keep an eye on in Russia.
Christian Eriksen (Midfielder, 26, Tottenham Hotspur:) It goes without saying that he is the Danes’ best player and will be counted on to do the playmaking and sometimes the scoring. Some say that he is the best footballer among the Nordic nations at the moment. He had a great year at Spurs this past season and is hoping to carry that over to the Danish national team. He will be much welcome after his absence showed in a 0-0 draw with Sweden in a World Cup Warm-up.
Pione Sisto (Midfielder, 23,Celta Vigo:) Denmark will need someone to take the pressure off Eriksen from time to time. One of two players who may be able to do that is the Celta Vigo winger. He was one of the few bright spots in the match against Sweden and will be counted on to compliment Eriksen in midfield.
Yussuf Poulsen (Forward, 23, RB Leipzig:) The RB Leipzig forward will be another player who can take pressure off Eriksen. Poulsen could also play on the wing opposite Sisto in a projected 4-2-3-1 formation with Eriksen and Sisto leaving Nicolai Jorgensen up front.
A large part of Denmark’s progression will depend not just on Eriksen, but if players like Sisto and Poulsen can step up and compliment him on attack. If that happens, then the Danes will be in the knockout stages.
Denmark
2018 World Cup
October, 2018
September, 2018
