Sport
ERIKSEN & LAMELA MUST DO MORE TO ENSURE SPURS STAY IN TITLE RACE
Mauricio Pochettino has done it again. Last season’s unexpected title tilt was supposed to be a flash in the pan, and normal order would be restored in the Premier League this season, with an influx of top class talent rejuvenating the big boys, allowing them to assume their rightful place fighting it out at the top of the table.
Not on this Argentine’s watch. Spurs have strengthened their squad in areas they needed to, kept the players who performed so well last season, and currently sit one point off top, unbeaten.
Dele Alli has put his ineptitude for England in the summer behind him to excel once again in attacking midfield, Son Heung-min has stepped out of the shadows to become a key figure for Pochettino, while Spurs are yet to concede a goal from open play, even at this juncture.
It would therefore seem somewhat churlish to be in any way critical of the north Londoners, but two stars cannot hold their heads as high as many of Spurs’ cadre of consistent performers. Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela have boundless ability, exhibiting flashes of that brilliance on occasion this campaign, but they haven’t done so regularly enough for Spurs’ fans liking. Should the underperforming pair up their game, then this Spurs side represent a different beast altogether.
Eriksen is a strange one. The delight was palpable all round White Hart Lane as the dynamic Dane penned a new four-year-deal in September, putting an end to painfully slow negotiations.
Having weighed in with eight goals and 16 assists last season, Eriksen was as pivotal as any to Spurs’ title tilt, but despite some exhilarating performances – his dominant display in the win over Manchester City being the pinnacle – Eriksen has disappeared too readily in games.
27 shots at goal is a decent return from a man from his position, but none have found the net. With Spurs possessing such a resolute backline, a few of those hitting the net would have been the different between one point and three.
These are the sort of margins we are talking about. Pochettino has worked tirelessly to create this almost impenetrable defensive unit, and if misfiring players cannot find the net from good positions at least on a semi-regular basis, much of that work could be undone.
Another player who needs to show more is Erik Lamela. The Argentina international started the season superbly, heading a brilliant equaliser on the opening day at Everton, but has drifted between mediocrity and wasteful since.
No other league goals and only one assist isn’t the return expected from the settled £30m man.
“I would like to [sign a new deal] because I am very happy here,” Lamela told the Evening Standard this week. “I feel part of this team which is improving. I have a group of excellent team-mates and I feel very good around them.
“It would make me happy to play for more years in this shirt. Will I be the next to sign? Let’s hope so.”
This will be music to Spurs supporters’ ears, as Lamela is a popular figure after working hard to overcome his initial poor form following his move from Roma, but he has to start producing the goods, more often – admitting to being happy and settled is all well and good, Lamela must prove his worth.
Both of these players are crucial to Spurs fans’ hopes of domestic and continental success. Vincent Janssen is still finding his feet, Harry Kane will not be fit for some weeks and Dele Alli could face burn out if asked to front their attacking options from deep, with Spurs amidst a run of seven games in 23 days.
A distracted Leicester represent a perfect opportunity for both Eriksen and Lamela to show their mettle this weekend. One goal scored in the last four games in all competitions is not the form of a side who want to be regarded as title chasers – Eriksen and Lamela’s time is now.
