Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has suggested that he would sign Christian Eriksen over Harry Kane if given the chance to take one player from Tottenham Hotspur.
Sarri has branded Kane "the best English striker at the moment" ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash between Chelsea and Spurs at Wembley Stadium.
However, the Blues boss was keen to pay tribute to "very smart" Eriksen, who will see his current deal with Tottenham expire at the end of next season.
The Denmark international has struggled with a stomach injury in recent weeks, and he is actually yet to register a goal in his nine Premier League appearances this season.
Sarri, though, was keen to reveal his admiration for the 26-year-old ahead of Saturday's meeting in the capital.
"Of course, Harry Kane is the best English striker at the moment so he is a very important player, but I have to say another name," Sarri told reporters. "I like Eriksen very much because he is very smart player.
"He is a very technical player. He is able to play in midfield and score eight or nine goals a season. I think he is a very important player. I like him very much but I don't want to talk about a player of Tottenham for the transfer market, of course, I am only answering the question."
Eriksen has scored 57 times and registered 73 assists in 239 appearances for Tottenham since arriving from Ajax in the summer of 2013.
Matt Law
