Andre Villas Boas: Erik Lamela will have to fight for his place at Tottenham

Lamela in action for Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas Boas has told new signing Erik Lamea that he will have to prove that he is a force to reckon with in order to get more first team action, talksport reports.

The 21-year-old has not been included in the starting line-up for Tottenham since signing for the club from Roma for a record fee of £30 million this season.

The Argentina international is facing stiff competition from Andros Townsend who has been stellar for Tottenham in his breakthrough season.

The midfielder gave a disappointing performance in the Europa League game against Anzhi Makhachkala and will have to up his game in order to tie down a first team spot with the Spurs.

Andre Villas Boas was happy with Lamea’s cameos for the team but insists that he must give an outstanding performance if he wants to displace Townsend as the teams first choice winger.

“I am extremely happy with what Erik has been doing,” said the 35-year-old manager. “It was difficult for him because he is a player that likes to be creative, involved in short combinations and he couldn’t come into the game as much as we wanted.

“They were difficult conditions [in Russia}. The pitch was awful and it was difficult for technical players to make a difference.

“We still tried to play the ball but you saw many times we lost it.

“But up until now I’m extremely happy with what he’s been doing. He just faces tough competition from Andros Townsend, who has also been doing very well, for that position,” he said.