Erik Lamela shone for Spurs in their FA Cup win against Newport County on Wednesday, but former PSG winger Lucas Moura is waiting in the wings.
League Two Newport County might not be the most fearsome of opposition but Erik Lamela should be proud of his performance in Wednesday’s FA Cup replay at Wembley.
The Argentine has only recently returned from over a year on the sidelines. So just imagine his relief when he scored his first goal in 504 days, calmly rolling a shot into the corner to give Spurs a 2-0 lead and seal their place in the fifth round.
This was a performance of peak Lamela, albeit against limited opposition. He was busy throughout in his favoured number ten position, creating chances and producing flicks and tricks aplenty while showing plenty of appetite for the more pragmatic part of the game, too.
Anyone who watched the former Roma player in action will have been immediately reminded why Mauricio Pochettino rates him so highly.
The question is, however, whether this is just a false dawn. This was only Lamela’s second 90-minute performance since his long-awaited comeback but, with Lucas Moura waiting in the wings, how many more chances will he get to start this season?
Lucas, a £25 million January signing from PSG, threatens to push Lamela further down the pecking order in North London, and he already has Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son ahead of him. If the electric Lucas settles quickly in England, Lamela could soon be fifth choice.
The 25-year-old said this week that he has no interest in leaving amid speculation as he believes this Spurs squad is getting better and better.
Ironically, however, this could be the factor that puts his long-term Tottenham career in doubt.
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