The Tottenham boss has big decisions to make in midfield, but the Argentina international should be give a chance to impress once again against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Tottenham’s Erik Lamela in action with CSKA Moscow’s Pontus Wernbloom
Tottenham Hotspur star Erik Lamela has had a good start to the 2016-17 season, without it being an outstanding one, but Mauricio Pochettino has to start his compatriot against league leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
While fellow attacking midfielder Heung-Min Son has exploded into form with five goals in five games, Lamela has had to deal with the addition of Moussa Sissoko, an expensive competitor for his right wing slot, which has ever so slightly impacted his starting eleven chances.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their first goal with Erik Lamela and Toby Alderweireld
However, a look at the Argentine’s statistics continue to show that he is making a difference when he is on the pitch, as Tuesday’s crucial assist for Son’s winner away to CSKA Moscow demonstrates.
The 24-year-old has scored two goals in nine matches this season, but he has an impressive six assists to his name.
And Pochettino only has to look at last season’s impressive wins over the Eastlands outfit to see the kind of impact Lamela can have against the Citizens.
Erik Lamela rounds Manchester City’s Willy Caballero to score the fourth goal for Tottenham last season
In this fixture last year, the Argentina international delivered the corner that saw Toby Alderweireld score the Londoners’ second goal, and he was busy, creative and tenacious as Spurs dominated City in the second half. The performance and 4-1 result was the proof that Lamela could make a genuine success of his move to White Hart Lane, and he capped it with the final goal after dribbling around goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
The former Roma man also played a pass not dissimilar to the one for Son’s Champions League goal to set up Christian Eriksen’s dramatic late winner at the Etihad.
All in all, an impressive campaign against the Citizens.
Erik Lamela celebrates scoring the fourth goal for Tottenham past Manchester City
This year, Lamela could be even more important. As a willing and energetic pressing midfielder who can make the difference in the final third, he will be vital against a Pep Guardiola side who are yet to taste defeat this season.
And that’s the reason Pochettino should pick his countryman for what is a massive and intriguing fixture.
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