Alex McLeish has hailed Erik Lamela’s transformation at Tottenham and he reckons that the Argentinean looks a different player now.
Lamela was brought into the game as a replacement for Lucas Moura in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Burnley last night and the Argentinean played a key part in the goal.
After Moura had laboured all night and couldn’t find a way to run through the stubborn Burnley defence, Lamela came in with something different and the Argentinean crossed the ball that Harry Kane flicked on for Son Heung-min’s goal.
Having watched the attacker for some time now, McLeish believes that Lamela has changed greatly.
He claimed that the former AS Roma man has trained himself to know when to release the ball unlike before when he would spend more time on the ball than he needed to.
McLeish told Football Insider: “Lamela looks a different player, he doesn’t lose it as easy as when he first came in.
“He had a tendency to overkill on the ball. Now he’s got a really smooth running action and he’s so elegant looking, he can go by people and then he knows when he’s done his quota and he’ll pass it, try and thread a through pass.
“I think he’s got more end product now in terms of building up of the passing game for Spurs. Finishing-wise, I’m sure he can get a couple of goals as well and he’s just part of a pretty strong squad.”
Lamela will be hoping that his fine cameo for the team will see him start the next game ahead of Moura.
True & that’s the type of cnut José wants.
Cos he was always broken, more like.
I suspect at some point over the years Levy wanted to sell Lamela but either there were no takers or price issue!
Never complains, just gets on with it!
His famous Rabona against modest european opposition is a collectors item!
I don’t think I’ve seen him make a clean tackle ever! But I like Lamela, a proper squad man who never phones it in. If only Dele had Lamelas attitude
He was pivotal in the mauling of United and not just in the sending off – his involvement in the first goal and his all round general play helped us on our way.
Last night he just might have won us the extra 2 points, because until he came on and went a bit more direct we were going nowhere – plus a nice corner too.
He’s putting points on the board imo
I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a fan.
Especially in his role as impact sub under Jose – honestly one of the best squad players you could hope for, always committed, almost always makes something happen/disrupts the game.
Shame he isn’t quite as good as was originally billed, sounds harsh but you do need good ‘reserves’ anyway – if he’s happy on the bench I’m more than happy with that too.
Anybody seen him make a clean tackle this season??
Correction – he tackles but constantly fouls!
Whilst Lamela (once dubbed the next Messi) still can’t tackle his feisty work ethic is undisputable!!