Erik Lamela did have a hand to play in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool as the Argentine got the last minute penalty that Harry Kane scored. He also scored against Newport County last night. The winger has had a tough time this season due to a range of injuries but seems to be on track to make a complete recovery and fight for a starting place in our line-up.
The Evening Standard carries a report which suggests that Lamela is attracting interest from Italy, with Inter Milan leading the race. Southampton also want the attacker, with them even lodging a bid to take him on loan. However, Lamela seems happy at Tottenham.
“There’s never been anything with Juventus,” Lamela told La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Evening Standard).
“Inter? I only think about the club I’m at, and I am very good here at Tottenham. The club is getting better and better, and I love living in London.”
Lamela was effectively brought in as a replacement for Gareth Bale but injuries have scuppered his time at the club. However, he has had a tough time adjusting to the country too.
He did have some help, given that Mauricio Pochettino also had to make the switch to the English weather and seems to have provided some tips to Lamela about the move.
“Pochettino is from Argentina like me and he knows that it is not easy for a young player to settle in quickly in a completely different culture.
“At the beginning, I had many problems with the language, injuries and different football. After the first season, many people told me to leave England but I didn’t want to give up, it was a challenge.
“Now I’m still here, so I made the right choice.”
Lamela has made just 13 appearances in the Premier League for us but that includes 11 substitute appearances, with just a couple of assists to his name. The 25-year-old has just one year left on his contract and it will be interesting to see if we do give him a new contract given his lack of playing time.
Lamela has half a season to prove his quality and worth to the fans and hopefully, he can perform miracles on any given day and if he can help us win a trophy or two, Poch would want to keep the 25-year-old for a few more years.
