Former Tottenham Hotspur ace Erik Lamela is warning his Sevilla team-mates to prepare for a ‘very physical’ West Ham United side ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash, speaking to Marca.
Never before have these two sides met in a competitive encounter. But that does not mean West Ham won’t know what to expect at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this week.
In Joan Jordan, Youssef En-Nesyri and Gonzalo Montiel, Sevilla have three players West Ham have submitted bids for in recent transfer windows.
Lamela, meanwhile, made eight Premier League appearances against the Hammers during nearly a decade down the road at Tottenham.
The Argentina international even scored the winner during a 1-0 triumph at the London Stadium back in October 2018. And Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui will be hoping Lamela can make the difference against West Ham once again, three-and-a-half years on.
Can West Ham defeat Sevilla?
“About West Ham, they are a very physical and powerful team,” says Lamela.
The 30-year-old joined Sevilla in the summer, as part of the deal that saw Bryan Gil swap Andalusia for London.
“We have to be intelligent. We have a very good squad and we are trained.”
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, Lamela returned to training on Wednesday. He is in line to make his first appearance since November when West Ham come to town.
Lopetegui, who turned down the chance to succeed Jose Mourinho as Tottenham manager last year, will also be able to call upon Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial. But there are concerns about the availability of Montiel, Papu Gomez, Karim Rekik and star centre-back Diego Carlos.
West Ham, meanwhile, are sweating on the fitness of top scorer Jarrod Bowen and talismanic midfielder Declan Rice.
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