OPINION
With all the talk about Lucas Moura’s terrific form at the start of this season, everyone seems to have forgotten about Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela.
The Argentinian, on a reported £105,000-per-week at the club [Source: Spotrac], has been playing some of his finest football in a Spurs shirt this campaign, yet Saturday’s game against West Ham United was his first Premier League start of the season.
Boy, did he make it count. Lamela was the difference in the game as his strike just before half time ensured Tottenham came away with all three points in a 1-0 victory over Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
It was an electric display in general from the 26-year-old, who appears determined to remind everyone in North London what a good player he is.
His winning goal against the Hammers made in two in his last three games in all competitions, and brought his overall record this term to four goals in seven games.
Considering he’s only played 328 minutes of football this season that is a pretty impressive stat line. In fact he is currently averaging a goal every 82 minutes, less than one a game.
He’s also bagged two assists this campaign, showing that not only can he score goals but he can set them up too. He can operate in a number of positions, as well, comfortable on both flanks and through the middle.
The quality of his performances has many Spurs supporters wondering why it took so long for Mauricio Pochettino to hand him his first league start of the season.
Aside from against Cardiff, every time Lamela has come off the bench in the Premier League he has scored or assisted a goal.
Obviously Pochettino has many talented players at his disposal, but even he must realise the error of his ways in not getting Lamela more heavily involved earlier on this season.
It’s fantastic to see the former Inter man back to his best, and his latest showing against West Ham was just the most recent reminder of his undeniable quality.