Erik Lamela, Tottenham Hotspur. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
5:00 PM
Ossie Ardiles believes Erik Lamela has all the ingredients to be a star at his old club Tottenham.
Argentina international Lamela joined Spurs from Roma last week in a deal worth in the region of £25million and made his debut as a substitute in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to rivals Arsenal.
Fellow Argentinian Ardiles was delighted to see Lamela sign for Spurs, and he believes the 21-year-old has the ability and experience to be a big success in the Premier League.
He told Spurs’ official website: “He’s a brilliant player. Of all the really top players Tottenham have bought for this season, he is the one that excites me the most.
“And not at all becomes he too comes from Argentina! It’s simply because of the way he plays. He’s a different type of player; to my mind a real Spurs player.
“These days you could describe a lot of players as manufactured. But not Lamela. He is a natural – and very talented. He is also extremely mature in his game for his age.
“He made his debut at a very young age at a big club like River Plate. And he coped very well with the obvious pressure in what was a traumatic season for the club as they were relegated under the format of the Argentina Primera that takes into account the form of each club over the past three seasons.
“Then the move to Roma – and we all know how difficult it is to play in Serie A. Despite his youth – and remember he’s only 21 now – he had a good record there. He showed his resolve and there is something extra about him as he approaches his football from a very different angle.
“He is never predictable in his play; he’s much more subtle than that. I would sum him up as very skilful at pace.
“In Argentina he was seen as a traditional number 10. And only the very special players achieve that acclaim. He can play in that crucial creative area behind the main striker; as an attacking midfielder or more to the left which he has done with success.
“All in all he is very talented. True, like all the new arrivals, he’ll need a bit of time to adjust to the pace of the Premier League. But he’ll do that and he’ll do it well. It’s great to have him here and I’m excited about the immediate future at Tottenham.”
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