Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Erik Lamela could be included in the Tottenham starting XI against Brighton – and fans have urged the manager to put their faith in the fit-again Argentine.
Lamela, 25, has recently returned from a long-term hip injury and has made three substitute appearances in which he has demonstrated some encouraging signings.
His long awaited return to the squad has been a major boost for the Spurs squad, but the attacking midfielder last started a league match for the north Londoners 417 days ago.
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Lamela is in line to start against Brighton at Wembley as they look to close the two-point league gap to the top four.
“Maybe, maybe. I still haven’t decided. I will decide today for tomorrow. Yes he has a chance to play from the start tomorrow,” Pochettino said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by Football London.
Given that it is over 13 months since Lamela last started a league fixture, it would represent a shock if he started ahead of the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min, the regular attacking midfielders used by Pochettino.
Nevertheless, fans want the Argentina international in the starting line-up on Wednesday, with one even claiming he should get the nod ahead of England sensation Dele Alli.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Harry Kane, Son, and Lamela starting tomorrow. @SpursOfficial, make it happen! #COYS
— Christopher ???? (@ChrisWrighteous) December 12, 2017
Never thought I’d say this but lamela should start over Alli this coming game #coys
— Phil (@PhilBleach) December 12, 2017
Release him… exactly the game for him. Sonny one side, him the other with Eriksen behind Kane.
— Buzzer (@MarkBuzzB) December 12, 2017
Foyth in at CB with Winks and Dier in front. Alli can have a rest. Played CL and the weekend so Lamela Eriksen Son behind Kane.
Gazzanigga
Aurier, Foyth, Jan, Rose
Dier, Winks
Lamela, Eriksen, Son
Kane— Andrew Faulkner (@faulkas) December 12, 2017
Lamela, Eriksen, and son behind Kane ???? no more dele alli doing a bunch of stupid flicks and tricks and losing the ball every time he gets in
— Pablo mcc (@KingKane10p) December 12, 2017
I’ve been saying this for the past 2 months and everyone thought I was ludicrous. Glad someone agrees with me.
— Dylan Lingham (@dylan_lingham) December 12, 2017