Article by Adarsh Kam
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September 1, 2013 |01.00 IST | Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham HT:
My roommate, a sleep depraved United fan who was already fuming after his side had lost to Liverpool in an earlier game: “Wake me up if Lamela is introduced in the second half.”
Such was the massive hype and expectation generated even in India by the Youtube footage of Erik Lamela. He was widely touted to be one of the next superstars in world football when Spurs had plucked him away from Roma in a record breaking deal on deadline day.
February 22, 2014 | Tottenham 0-2 West Ham United HT:
Erik Lamela's half by numbers vs. West Ham:
0 shots on target
0 take-ons
0 key passes
0 crosses
73% pass accuracy.
Meanwhile, Andros Townsend's game by numbers vs. West Ham:
2 key passes
7 crosses
1 take-on completed (100%)
3 tackles won.
Yet inexplicably, Townsend is the one who is substituted at half time. And, he remains the one who is perennially considered ‘wasteful’, ‘doesn’t cross often’ and ‘selfish’. He may or may not be worthy of the negative criticism aimed at his direction. But, at least he has an impact on the game every single time he plays.
In the one and a half years Lamela has been with the club, he has scored exactly one goal in the Premier League (against Burnley none the less) and three in the Europa League (against the likes of Sheriff Tiraspol and Asteras Tripoli). To be fair to him, his first season was ravaged by injuries and changing management.
And, Pochettino’s appointment was largely expected to be the spark Lamela needed to kickstart his career in Lilywhite colors. He did show promise in the preseason friendlies and followed it up with a couple of assists in the 4-0 rout of Queens Park Rangers on Matchday 2. But since then, he has looked woefully off pace in the Premier League and has struggled to come to terms with the pace and tempo of English football. He drifts inside with no purpose and often squanders possession with extravagant first touches.
The talent is definitely there for all to see. He shows the odd flashes of brilliance like that wonderful rabona in the Europa League. He is also showing newfound willingness in relentlessly pursuing the ball. But for the £30M which Spurs paid for his services, they wanted a finished product, a straight swap for Gareth Bale. And, Lamela is still not even remotely close to that.
He may be only 22. But, the judgement will be passed soon on the precociously talented Argentinean. As the crucial fixtures come thick and fast, it is high time for the lad from River Plate to lace up his boots and start delivering the goals we know he is capable of.
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Cant agree more.This is a player i waited for with great excitement as i watched the videoss!Sadly he is just one of those players who just doesnt fit Spurs or the premiership. Remember Postiga who couldnt score when he came to Spurs as a young starlet and drifted away. It is a pity as he has upped his workrate but end product is very poor. He couldnt replace Bales laces.Sell him while he is still young. Cannot be picked against Chelsea as he will contribute nothing.Soldado after Thursday must now know he is only there because we dont have anyone else and that shouldht have been allowed to happen.We need 2 strikers or we will burn Kane out.
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