Reason for Tottenham Hotspur to be worried about Erik Lamela?

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Erik Lamela is the most fouled player in the Premier League so far, should supporters be concerned?

The form of Erik Lamela has been a major plus point for Tottenham Hotspur early this season, building on impressive performances in the build-up.

The Argentine scored a sweetly struck volley for his country against Germany in midweek, highlighting to the world his return to form.

After an injury interrupted first season, it is a pleasure for Spurs fans and neutrals alike to see a player so talented back in action.

But does an element of his start to in the Premier League, beyond his control, cause a reason to worry?

Erik Lamela is, three games in, the most fouled player in England’s top flight, even though he has played less minutes than many.

His willingness to take players on is a key part of his game, and defenders are clearly struggling to adjust to him.

In games against West Ham, QPR and Liverpool, Lamela has been fouled 10 times, and those are just the ones called by referees.

For opponents, much of it may be the fear of what he can offer, or simply struggling to keep up with him.

Yet with Lamela’s recent injury history, he has already started the same number of Premier League games this season as he did in 2013/14, there is slight reason for fans to be concerned about another setback.

Statistics like this will no longer be analysed by the club, and Lamela may have to adjust his game accordingly to reduce the risks he takes.

Cristiano Ronaldos suffered a similarly rough introduction to English football when he began in the Premier League, but showed he could take it, and went onto hurt opponents in a different way. If Lamela can do the same, he may even be able to dream of similar success of the Ballon d’Or winner one day.