Ryan Mason is a former teammate of Tottenham Hotspur star Erik Lamela.
Lamela, who can operate as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, started Tottenham’s Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Juventus in Turin.
The Argentina international has now fully recovered from a long-term injury and is starting to establish himself in the Spurs team and is getting back to his best.
Former Tottenham midfielder Mason has explained why Pochettino picks his ex-Spurs teammate and 26-year-old Argentine Lamela in big matches.
Mason told BBC Radio 5 live: “Coco’s (Lamela) one of these players, he loves football. I’ve never come across anyone in the game that loves the game as much as him.”
“I think the reason why the gaffer picks him is because one, he trusts him, and two, Coco will never ever give anything less than 100 per cent, and he has got this ability to create a bit of brilliance,” added Mason.
Hugely talented
Lamela is a very talented footballer who has huge natural technical ability, and his performances so far this season have been encouraging.
The former River Plate and AS Roma star has played a total of 408 minutes in the Premier League and 89 in the Champions League so far this campaign.
The attacker player will be important for Spurs in their quest to finish in the top four of the Premier League and progress further in the Champions League this season.
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