Monday 11 April 2016 12:10, UK
Erik Lamela endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League, but he has become a talismanic figure in Tottenham's transformation under Mauricio Pochettino. After his starring role in Sunday's 3-0 win over Manchester United, we examine his improvement…
It was in the middle of September that Mauricio Pochettino laid down the gauntlet to Erik Lamela. The club-record £25m signing had struggled to live up to his billing in his first two years in the Premier League, and time was running out for him to prove himself in north London.
"I think this is a key season for him," said Pochettino. "After two seasons at Tottenham, now is the moment for him. Not to put pressure, but it's true. It's a key moment for him to develop and to move on his game. It's important."
Two days later Lamela scored only his seventh goal in 68 appearances for Spurs in a Europa League tie with Qarabag, and hasn't looked back since. A player who once drifted absently through games has become a snarling embodiment of Tottenham's fighting spirit under Pochettino - and his talent is shining through, too.
His blend of tough-tackling and technical quality has made him a crucial figure for Spurs, and those attributes were more apparent than ever in his man-of-the-match display against Manchester United on Super Sunday. The Lamela of old might have hidden away after his glaring miss from Christian Eriksen's cross in the first half, but instead he came back stronger.
In the frantic six-minute spell in which Tottenham destroyed United in the second half, Lamela was a key figure in every goal. For the opener, his persistence won possession to launch the move that ended with Dele Alli converting Eriksen's smart delivery. And after producing the free kick for Toby Alderweireld's headed second, his crisp finish from Danny Rose's cross made it three.
Lamela's all-action approach typified Tottenham's breathless intensity, and he set up further scoring chances for Harry Kane and Kyle Walker as the hosts continued to pour forward in the closing stages. His impact has not been lost on Spurs supporters, and when he was replaced by Nacer Chadli in the 87th minute, the standing ovation that followed was no surprise.
The statistics highlighted his outstanding all-round contribution. Lamela made more tackles (nine) and won more duels (12) than anyone else at White Hart Lane, and he ranked top for shots on goal with three. At the time of his withdrawal, the Argentine had also ran further (11.29km) and made more sprints (64) than any other player.
The numbers will make pleasing reading for Pochettino when he reflects on the game at Tottenham's Enfield training ground this week, and the head coach deserves immense credit for overseeing such a dramatic improvement from his countryman.
"He's been very patient with him and obviously the Argentinian link has helped Erik," former Tottenham captain Ledley King told Sky Sports. "We've seen a big improvement from him this season, and it's not just his goals, it's his assists and work-rate. He looks stronger, and the manager's got a big part to play in that."
Lamela was not the first player to struggle with the adaption from Serie A to Premier League when he arrived from Roma in 2013, but after minimal improvement in his first two seasons, it must have been tempting for both parties to cut their losses. For Pochettino and Lamela, however, persistence has paid off.
"He's got the pace of the Premier League now," added King. "When he first came he probably thought he'd get more time on the ball but he quickly had to realise that you don't get it in the Premier League. His game has quickened up and he's got stronger as a player."
We've seen a big improvement from him this season, and it's not just his goals, it's his assists and work-rate. He looks stronger, and the manager's got a big part to play in that.
King was not alone in praising Tottenham's No 11, with Graeme Souness highlighting his role in the first goal as evidence of his improvement. "He's a tough-tackling wide player now," he said. "You see it for the first goal. It's a never-say-die attitude. He's on the ground still trying to win the ball back for his team."
That never-say-die attitude might not be enough to overhaul Leicester in the final five games of the Premier League season, but for transformed Tottenham and the talismanic Lamela, the future looks very bright.
