Watford have had a surprisingly strong start to the season and look as though they could well finish in the top 10 this season. Tottenham have only lost three games in the league this year and as it stands look like they’ll once again be gunning for Champions League glory.
One of Mauricio Pochettino’s key men this season has been Argentine attacker, Erik Lamela and the former Roma will be key in taking the load off Harry Kane this season.
A key culprit to Watford’s strong season has been the performances of star midfielder, Roberto Pereyra.
Erik Lamela
Famously a part of the group of seven players that joined the club following the departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, Erik Lamela hasn’t had the best careers at Spurs and still hasn’t lived up to his full potential.
In part due to injuries but also, from poor form, Lamela – who’s valued at £18m – has never been a reliable attacker for the club although, in his best season in north London, he did manage to score five goals in 34 games to go with nine assists.
This year, he has got off to some reasonable form and has scored four goals in eight games in the league and has been one of the few players to step up and help Kane this season. While he does have talent, considering Spurs paid £25.7 million for the forward five years ago which was a reasonable fee at the time, he hasn’t quite turned out to be the prolific forward they may have hoped he could be.
TT Grade: B-
Roberto Pereyra
Arguably one of the best players to play for the club over the last few years, Pereyra is turning into a top quality player for Watford and one who could potentially guide them to a top-seven finish this season.
Watford signed the former Juventus man for just £13 million two years ago and although it’s taken him some time to begin to perform, he’s now looking like the star attacker that attracted Juventus to his signature.
Talented with the ball and also capable of being able to play anywhere up front, the Argentinian has become the star man in Watford’s side and as it stands, his five goals have been crucial in their great start to the season.
TT Grade: B
The Verdict
Lamela is having one of his best seasons for Tottenham this year but overall, the former Roma forward hasn’t had the best of careers at Spurs. He’s never been a consistent performer at the club and as it stands, he’s looked like a fairly average player.
In Pereyra, Watford have an incredibly talented player who’s been a star for the club this season. His ability to score and create goals while also being so versatile is superb and for that reason, he wins this one.
