Tottenham’s Erik Lamela has been linked with a move back to River Plate.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has told the London Evening Standard that winger Erik Lamela intends to stay at White Hart Lane amid rumours of a move back to River Plate.
Lamela, 24, was famously purchased from Roma in 2013 in order to help fill the void left by Gareth Bale, but a dismal first season in England saw him record just one goal and three assists in the Premier League and Europa League.
Tottenham’s Erik Lamela
The arrival of compatriot Pochettino as Spurs boss in 2014 has seen Lamela gradually improve though, and he became a key player last season, not only because of his 11 goals and nine assists, but also because of his outstanding ability to press – a key factor in Pochettino’s system.
Many expected this to be Lamela’s breakout season, and whilst he impressed earlier this term, he hasn’t played since an EFL Cup tie against Liverpool in the 25th of October, having struggled with a hip injury.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Intriguingly though, Lamela is being linked with a move back to Argentina with former club River Plate, as Radio La Red reported that River were hoping to take Lamela back to El Monumental on a six-month loan deal in order to get him playing again.
Having joined the Buenos Aires giants at the age of just seven before hitting four goals in 36 games for the first team, River are a club close to Lamela’s heart, meaning a move back may not be beyond all realms of possibility.
Ahead of this weekend’s game with Middlesbrough, Spurs boss Pochettino has commented on the situation, telling the London Evening Standard that Lamela was adamant about staying at White Hart Lane when asked about the River Plate rumours.
Pochettino added that Lamela is focused on getting back to full fitness, with ‘massive improvement’ in his status this week, with Spurs hoping to see him return to action soon.
“We were talking this morning and he was very positive,” said Pochettino. “We were joking, there were some rumours about him going back to River. I asked him if he wanted to go back and he said: ‘I want to play for this club, be in England and play football’. He is now very focused on his recovery to be available as soon as possible.”
“That is a massive improvement in the last few days. It is very powerful, because if you believe, we are all capable – if you are focused on recovering from your problem,” he added.
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