Erik Lamela’s Tottenham resurgence must be tough for Southampton

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Tottenham Hotspur attacker Erik Lamela was linked with a move to Southampton during the final hours of the January transfer window.

When The Independent linked Southampton with a deadline day loan move for Erik Lamela during the January transfer window, many of the Saints fans who commented on the rumour felt that it would be an uninspiring move to go after the Tottenham star.

Lamela has endured a difficult time since arriving at Spurs having spent more than a year out with injury before returning to Mauricio Pochettino’s side in November – which came two days after the Saints beat Everton to record their most recent home win in the league.

However, the Argentinian has seemingly started to turn a corner in the last two games after previously struggling for more than a handful of minutes each week.

He was superb after coming on for Harry Kane in last weekend’s win at Bournemouth and has since followed that up with a brilliant display in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Swansea on Saturday, where he scored one and set up another as Pochettino’s men set up a semi-final with Manchester United.

It appears that he is really starting to find his feet, and that should perhaps leave Southampton fans wondering what could have been had they managed to get a loan deal done in January.

Lamela would have been playing regularly a lot sooner had he headed to St Mary’s, and based on his last few appearances, he would have been a hugely valuable asset for the Saints who have looked desperately short of ideas going forward this season.

It may not be out of the question to suggest that, had Lamela moved, the Saints would have the kind of quality going forward that would have helped ensure that they were not going into this international break inside the relegation zone.

With Lamela now looking set for a prolonged run in the side, he will be delighted that nothing came of the deadline day links. For Southampton – whose only signing in January was Guido Carrillo, who remains goalless for the club – they may now be looking at his most recent performances and wondering what may have been had a deal taken place.