Tottenham Hotspur are without two first team players at the moment, Jan Vertonghen and Erik Lamela. The former picked up an ankle injury against West Brom last time out, while Lamela has been struggling with a hip injury for quite some time.
The Argentinean has only made 9 appearances this season and scored a single goal. He is now back at this former club AS Roma to continue his treatment. During his time in Rome, the 24-year-old met up with Federico Fazio, a former team-mate who is on loan with the Italian club.
The 29-year-old struggled to hit the ground running at White Hart Lane and was sent to Roma at the start of the season. Nevertheless, the defender buried all critics straightaway by becoming a solid performer in the Italian league. Below is a picture of both compatriots having some good time together.
Lamela’s injury and Fazio’s absence have not affected the north London club who are on a blistering run of form. With six victories on the spin and putting in an impressive performance against table-toppers Chelsea where they ended Antonio Conte’s winning streak with a 2-0 victory, they are assuredly keeping an eye on the Premier League title.
Despite picking up the form that impressed the Spurs scouts before his move from Sevilla, it’s no easy leap for Fazio to return into Mauricio Pochettino’s good books. It’s highly likely that his loan spell with Gialorossi will turn into a permanent one.
Meanwhile, it won’t be a similar scenario for Lamela as he was a pivotal part of Pochettino’s blueprint in the previous campaign, racking up 5 goals and 9 assists. He was originally a River Plate product and quickly made a name at international level. His exceptional trickery, burst of pace and ability to shift the ball at Pochettino’s demanding tempo are always a lethal weapon.
He is certainly racing against time to be fit but will not immediately walk into the team as unseating any of the first team midfielders is an uphill task. Also, Dele Alli is continually a subject of sizeable bids from European heavyweights. The North Londoners are adamant that the England international won’t be sold but one may not know the outcome in summer as both Gareth Bale and Luka Modric were labelled “Not for Sale” before packing their bags to Real Madrid.
Spurs faithful may be under a cloud looking at the attacking midfielder being comfortable back in Rome but nothing to worry as he is committed to the Lilywhites.
The Lilywhites next face a tricky test away to Manchester City.
