The Tottenham fans in the Transfer Tavern are delighted with the return of Erik Lamela. The Argentine, who is rated at £22.5 million by Transfer Markt, has been out all year long, owing to a long-term fitness problem, but returned to action on Tuesday against Leicester City. He’s still some way off returning to 100% fitness, but it’s clear that he’s on the way.
It has been a long time coming for the winger, and Tottenham have really missed him. Nobody else in the squad provides such lethal, direct dribbling, and his return will give Mauricio Pochettino’s attack a completely different outlet from which to build.
With the Argentine now expected to be in contention for selection, the fans in the Transfer Tavern have been discussing how he is going to fit into Pochettino’s plans. If he is to get back into the team, that could facilitate a slight formation change and, perhaps more significantly, Tottenham’s attack could look slightly different.
With that said, could this be Tottenham’s lethal potential attacking line this season including returning £22.5m-rated man Erik Lamela?
LW – Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen has had a tough few weeks.
After a strong start to the season and a few particularly good performances for his country, the Danish midfielder has gone off the boil somewhat. He’s lacking that cutting edge that has made him famous, but the return of Lamela can only be a good thing for him.
With less need to dribble, given that Lamela brings that quality in droves, Eriksen can provide what he does best: passes. He’s arguably one of the best passers of the ball in the Premier League, and there is no doubting the influence that he can have from this position.
CAM – Dele Alli
Likewise, Dele Alli has also struggled.
He hasn’t been terrible this season, but like Eriksen, he has lacked the cutting edge that he once had.
That said, Pochettino has had faith in him this season and doesn’t look likely to drop him as the campaign rumbles on, and so the Englishman is likely to continue to power through until he returns to his best.
On his day, he is unstoppable, and the fans in the Transfer Tavern are desperate for him to get back to his best.
RW – Erik Lamela
After such a long layoff, it’s going to take some time for Lamela to get back to his best.
However, he made a great impact on Tuesday when he assisted Harry Kane for Tottenham’s goal, and that certainly suggests that it won’t be long until he is back at 100%.
On his day, he is unplayable. Offering electric pace, technical brilliance, goals and assists, he has it all.
ST – Harry Kane
Who else?
Harry Kane is one of Europe’s best forwards, and he’ll perhaps benefit the most from Lamela’s return.
He’ll look to feed off of the Argentine’s fantastic crossing ability, whilst he’ll also no doubt enjoy having someone to run the channels with when seeking a goal.
For his part, Kane will help to both provide and finish moves involving Lamela. They could form a deadly connection.
