The Spurs line-up versus
FC Sheriff in the UEFA Europa League last Thursday consisted of the returning
Aaron Lennon, Christian Eriksen and summer signing from AS Roma, Erik Lamela.
Whilst it’s still early in Lamela’s Spurs career, the former Roma winger will
be hoping to expedite his path into the first team for domestic fixtures.
However, Andre Villas-Boas presides over an embarrassment of riches for
midfield selection, and the emergence of the prodigious Englishman Andros
Townsend could see Lamela continually restricted to outings in cup competitions
this season, much to his detriment.
AVB has a selection
dilemma most Barclays Premier League managers dream of. If he continues with
the 4-2-3-1 formation deployed to good effect so far this season, three
attacking midfield positions are up for grabs between seven players. Lamela
scored an impressive 15 goals and assisted five times in 33 Serie A games for
Roma last season but is admittedly struggling to adapt to the physical side of
English football, and fears for his World Cup chances with the Argentinean
national side. Foreign players often need a year plus a full pre-season before
they can display their full spectrum of talent, but Lamela may have to buck
that trend.
With Brazil 2014 on the
horizon, Andros Towsend will be desperate to retain his astonishing early form
which is keeping Lamela out of his favoured right-wing position. Spurs have perhaps been taken by surprise at the rapid
development of Townsend who has forced his way atop the pecking order with his
startling early season displays for club and country, leading to former Spurs
boss Harry Redknapp comparing his style to that of Arjen Robben. Lamela’s
former employers Roma are the only side with a 100 percent record in Europe ’s top leagues this season, and the talented wide man may well be
ruing the timing of his move to England England
He has to adapt to a completely different culture
and mentality, which we are sure he will, but we're unsure of how much time it
will take, but he will.
Tactically, Spurs
sometimes struggle at home to break down teams who sit back, and the
penetration of speedy wingers such as Lennon and Townsend is rebuffed. Away
from home they both possess the ruthless counter attacking verve that would
arguably be more effective than Lamela’s technical talents. Recently West Ham
fended off the Spurs attack on their way to a shock 3 – 0 away win, and in
these situations the creativity Lamela possesses could be the catalyst in
breaking down teams who ‘park the bus.’
Lamela will be hoping AVB
concurs with this logic, as Brazil 2014 is a World Cup every player dreams of
participating in. The 21-year-old talent will be desperate to produce some
eye-catching performances, but one thing is for certain-the fierce competition
for places can only be a positive for the lofty ambitions Spurs harbour.
by Richard Jaffa
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