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da lvbet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Erik Lamela. A man who struggled quite significantly last term, managing to make just nine league starts and 19 league appearances in total whilst also struggling with injury throughout large parts of the campaign much to some fans’ frustration – he also only netted four goals and made two assists.
After the arrival of fellow Argentine Giovani Lo Celso, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that life at Spurs would get even harder for the former Roma attacker now there is more competition for places, but Lamela looks reborn so far this term.
Mauricio Pochettino has kept faith with him, and he has been duly rewarded by two fine performances from the 27-year-old against Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Against the Villans, Spurs looked like they were heading for a disappointing 1-1 draw with the newly-promoted side on the opening weekend, but for a typically industrious moment from Lamela.
The former River Plate man robbed Jack Grealish – who was dawdling around on the edge of his own box – before firing a shot at goal. The ball didn’t go in, but it pin-balled around and landed at the feet of Harry Kane who slotted home.
In that game, Christian Eriksen came on and made a real impact which led to some fans demanding he started against City, which he did.
Pochettino could’ve dropped Lamela for the Dane, but instead, he kept faith with his fellow Argentine and dropped Lucas Moura instead and was again rewarded for his show of faith in the Spurs No.11.
Lamela grabbed a vital equaliser after Raheem Sterling’s header, receiving a nice pass from Tanguy Ndombele before curling the ball past Ederson and into the net.
He then went on to whip in a brilliant corner which was headed in by Lucas Moura just 19.06 seconds after the Brazilian came off the bench, ending the game against the back-to-back champions with a goal and an assist.
Lamela may not have had the best 2018/19 campaign, but he is certainly rewarding Pochettino’s trust in him.
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