12 dribbles, 5 crosses, 287 touches – Erik Lamela’s season so far

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Erik Lamela has made a promising start to his second campaign at Tottenham Hotspur.

Much was made of Erik Lamela’s debut season at White Hart Lane.

For £30 million, the Argentine delivered an uninspiring glimpse of what could be to come for Spurs, unless, of course, they decided to sell the 22-year-old.

But Lamela’s first campaign at Tottenham was plagued by injuries and he clearly needed time to adapt to the Premier League.

Fast forward to his second term in north London and things are looking far brighter after just four league games.

Indeed, as Opta stats show, Lamela’s season is already looking up.

The Argentine is still yet to score his first goal in the top flight – though one suspects that will come sooner rather than later – but he has registered two assists and is his side’s best dribbler by far. Lamela has beaten his man 12 times this term – at least five more than any other Spurs player. He has also created a respectable six chances and completed 55 successful final-third passes.

Impressively, Lamela is Tottenham’s best crosser and nor does the 22-year-old shy away from possession, taking 287 touches so far. By all means, that’s a far cry from his campaign to forget last season.

In terms of passing, Christian Eriksen looks a cut above the Argentine, while it would not be unfair to argue that the Dane has outshone him generally so far this season. But, in terms of the excitement Lamela generates when he is on the ball, there is considerable potential there.

Indeed, no one has won more dribbles than Lamela in four Premier League games other than Eden Hazard. And he’s reportedly being offered a bumper new £50 million contract.