Erik Lamela: Tottenham’s Game Changer?

In 2013, Argentine forward Erik Lamela became Spurs’ most expensive player at the time in a deal which, with add-ons, neared £30 million. He looked lightweight and struggled to adapt to life in the English Premier League. He also struggled with the English language and looked like a ‘little boy lost.’ It took Lamela over a year just to register his first goal for Tottenham in the Premier League, although he did show his potential with an outrageous rabona goal against Greek club Asteris Tripolis in the Europa League. A back injury cut his season short in 2014 before a hip issue that needed two operations cut short much of his playing time in 2017. So with all these things transpiring against the player, could he really now become Tottenham’s game changer?

Impact v Fulham

Tottenham were labouring in the second half of the Premier League match against Fulham at Wembley stadium on 18th August. With the score at 1-1, Spurs needed a change and although much came from the introduction of Mousa Dembele, it was Lamela who also caught the eye.

With much being made of the ‘Harry Kane August hoodoo’, it was Lamela to whom he was grateful for assisting him to end the so-called drought. Picking the ball up, Lamela drove through the field and found Kane with a beautifully weighted pass. The rest, as they say, is history. But it was not just that movement that stood out. Lamela looked strong, fit and ready. There had been genuine fears for his career when he had to have the second operation on his hip but perhaps now he is ready to deliver what many have said he always can – quality.

Can Lamela Really Become a Tottenham Game Changer?

On Saturday he showed that he can. Although a brief cameo, it was exciting to see him push opposition players out of the way and drive through gears. Dembele can do this but with a younger Lamela ahead of him, he left that to his teammate and it could be a tactic that suits Spurs well as they seek glory at last under Mauricio Pochettino.

Lamela fits the mould of a Pochettino player and that has been recognised with a new deal to 2022.

Whilst he has not set the Premier League alight yet, his new-found fitness, contract and strong display from the bench on Saturday may just mean that Tottenham have found their game changer.

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