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Introduction
Erik Lamela, known for his exceptional dribbling ability and pace joined Spurs in 2013 for a fee of 25.57 M pounds, plus up to 5 M pounds in bonus, becoming Spurs record signing.
Tipped to take the English Premier League by storm, Lamela was brought to help ease the blow of losing Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
“Spurs sold Elvis to buy The Beatles,” said former Spurs keeper Erik Thorstvedt.
Having scored just one goal against FC Sheriff in the UEFA Europa League, Erik Lamela’s nightmare season at Tottenham is in danger of ending his World Cup dreams.
Trending
With his future at the White Hart Lane uncertain, and clubs like Inter Milan and Juventus rumoured to be interested, Lamela’s days in London looks numbered.
There are still question marks, whether the 30 M pounds record signing will play again this season, despite Spurs hoping he might be fit for the final few games!
The forward has been out since Dec 29, 2013 and Tottenham are refusing to put a target date on his comeback!
30th Aug, 2013
Eric Lamela joins Tottenham Hotspurs from A.S. Roma for a whopping £25.57 M.
Spurs played their move so well. They sold Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for £84.39m, and replaced him with an emerging Argentine. With money in the bank, a Daniel Levy initiated program saw the club investing huge amounts to buy many aspiring stars.
Lamela is the new Number 11. Spurs didn’t sale Bale to Real Madrid until Lamela joined them from Roma. Madrid had to wait for Bale, as Spurs first made sure that they have done enough with the money generated by Gareth Bale’s departure to Madrid.
Real Madrid wanted Bale, the best player in England. A carbon chain followed. Real Madrid backed it; whist Daniel Levy of Spurs had the jockey in his hand. Roma got their replacement and Arsenal after many years were finally happy with the outcome of transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspurs in 2013/14 transfer window got involved in two financially related football records.
- Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid from Spurs became the most expensive player transfer in history of club football.
- Erik Lamela became Spurs club record signing.
The hype was intense. This wasn’t Olivier Giroud replacing Robin van Persie at Emirates Stadium. Tottenham wanted the best fit for Gareth Bale and Lamela’s reputation as a football player in Serie A with Roma was exceptional.
At mere age of 21, Lamela became an integral part of the Giallorossi’s. In 2012/13 season, he scored a total of 15 goals for Roma. Tottenham knew finding a player to fill Gareth Bale’s boot is not an easy task. Getting a readymade player was their quest.
Erik Lamela: Finding English Premier League
Tactically and physical, there is a massive switch in the style of English and Italian football. At Roma, Lamela had the freedom in the middle of the park. He was considered more of a floating midfielder who would create spaces to fill in with important through balls.
He also formed a formidable partnership with his central midfielders Daniele de Rossi and Michael Bradley. Spurs at the moment are missing a player like Luca Modric who could spot Lamela’s intent in oppositions final third.
In the ongoing 2013/14 season, Tottenham’s new buy from Ajax, Christian Eriksen has hardly featured with Erik Lamela. Technical Director for Tottenham Hotspur, Franco Baldini is the man responsible to bring Lamela on the English shore. His believes and vision to make Spurs a top gun could only be achieved when all of his stars start playing together.
Damien Comolli had a similar post with Tottenham Hotspurs. He brought in Gareth Bale and Luka Modric to Spurs and was under criticism as these future football superstars were raw and inconsistent. Damien Comolli got sacked but his players got time to flourish. Lamela requires the same support to prove his potential.
Against FC Sheriff in 2013/14 UEFA Europa League group encounter he was declared the man of the match. This was Erik Lamela’s first goal for Spurs. Lamela was absolutely sublime in this particular fixture. He presented a brilliant show of divination with the ball at his feet. He was continuously butchered by the opposition with some hefty challenges. He got up on every occasion to silent his critics and that he wasn’t playing with Barbie Dolls in Italy either.
Thigh and back problems for the Argentine has not been helpful at all. As a professional, he should be able to cope up with the workload of the Premier League.
Lamela’s future at the White Hart Lane depends heavily on Tim Sherwood’s trust on him or on the new manager that the board agrees to bring, with Louis Van Gaal lining up as a strong favourite.
Media Speculations
Media has grown in population. They show and write every possible piece they want to. Facts are so real and rumours, so frequent. Media takes responsibility to know what is happening around the world.
Stories in England don’t hide. Erik Lamela becoming a mystery is made a worrying sight too early. His talents suggest he is hibernating.
Media has lot to say about his downfall in his first season in the Barclays Premier Legaue, but club officials have been seen backing his potential and are not giving up hope that Lamela will flourish as a player with Spurs.
Media interpretation and speculation about Erik Lamela’s poor run of form in his first season with Spurs.
English Premier League is competitive and the most branded too. A good player as Lamela will always be in the limelight. Opinions about such a player will flourish day in day out like a banyan tree.
This is Lamela’s test. Media News buzzing around him shouldn’t be any kind of level one certificate. It is simply too early for anyone to question his presence in the Spurs line-up. A strong head is required of Lamela to get accustomed to an alien environment.
To be continued…or is he yet another faded superstar?
The highly intriguing finish of the premier league is approaching. Spurs find themselves sitting on 6th position, with Lamela out with an injury having made just 17 appearances in all competitions since joining the North Londoners.
It will be interesting to watch the young starlet be fit again and start a few games for Spurs. Perhaps making his final impression on the club chairman, Daniel Levy who has quite a few decisions lined up already!
He is very young and definitely new to the Premier League. We all know what a huge talent he is and once he’s done and dusted with his back injury, Erik Lamela can begin his quest as a top-top footballer.
Don’t be surprised if the same Lamela stays and comes all guns blazing when the new season starts. Well who knows, after all it is the English Premier League.
He is surely not a flop, yet!
