Player Watch: Erik Lamela

Insomnia said:

Can’t believe the Lamela before Dele chat. Lamela has become our Wilshere, the longer he’s been out injured the better player he’s become. Once fit he’ll be amazing, just what we need blah blah blah. I want him back but he’d struggle to get past a place on the bench given out fit starting 11 now imo

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Everlasting Seconds said:

I see both sides of this. On one hand, yeah fans always tend to think that unavailable players are exactly who we need to step it up etc. etc. etc. On the other hand, Lamela at his best would truly be a great fit. We have seen that we are vulnerable when our high press is suffering, and Lamela could change that. I think we also are one super-fit player away from releasing more of the potential in the squad. Missing Wanyama, Dembele struggling, players looking jaded etc. etc., I think a fit Lamela swiftly would carve out a solid spot in the match day squads. He would indeed instantly get a lot of playing time.

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dagraham said:

Ok fair enough, I agree with that. There is clearly something wrong with our scouting department though. Whether that’s too many changes or too many people involved in the recruitment process I’m not sure.

Something is amiss though. We’re good at identifying British talent, but when it comes to younger players from foreign leagues it’s very poor.

As for signing strikers, don’t get me started

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Everlasting Seconds said:

I see both sides of this. On one hand, yeah fans always tend to think that unavailable players are exactly who we need to step it up etc. etc. etc. On the other hand, Lamela at his best would truly be a great fit. We have seen that we are vulnerable when our high press is suffering, and Lamela could change that. I think we also are one super-fit player away from releasing more of the potential in the squad. Missing Wanyama, Dembele struggling, players looking jaded etc. etc., I think a fit Lamela swiftly would carve out a solid spot in the match day squads. He would indeed instantly get a lot of playing time.

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Gassin's finest said:

Lamela at his best, circa up to a year ago, was the perfect Pochettino proponent. High energy, hard working, incisive passing and creativity. He was outstanding against City at the lane and we genuinely have missed his cutting edge in those tight games.

But no player can expect to walk into a team on reputation alone. As Poch alludes to, he has to prove himself again. Mentally it must be very challenging to be out for over a year, go through all-sorts of surgery and physiotherapy and then work hard on the training ground to get back where you were.

I can't wait to see him back personally.

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rocklink said:

lamela also played well against utd at lane when we beat them 3-0 ...

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Everlasting Seconds said:

I see both sides of this....

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Shadydan said:

To be fair getting strikers/forwards in is really difficult as so it's proved, We've tried for Ings, Werner, Martial, Berahino, Batshuayi and they all haven't come off for various reasons.

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Wheeler Dealer said:

Probably 3 reasons .
1. Harry Kane
2. Wages - More in Batshuayi's case
3.Transfer Fee - In Martial's case

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Insomnia said:

Can’t believe the Lamela before Dele chat. Lamela has become our Wilshere, the longer he’s been out injured the better player he’s become. Once fit he’ll be amazing, just what we need blah blah blah. I want him back but he’d struggle to get past a place on the bench given out fit starting 11 now imo

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Everlasting Seconds said:

I also think we have simply speaking not been great at buying strikers for years. We haven't actually bought a striker in over a decade that went on to perform very well for the club. Defoe did fairly well his second time around, but generally, we've struggled with buying strikers for a really, really long time. It's like a structural issue at the club it seems.

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ralvy said:

What about Berbatov? Was that already over a decade ago?! Holly fuck!

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Everlasting Seconds said:

I also think we have simply speaking not been great at buying strikers for years. We haven't actually bought a striker in over a decade that went on to perform very well for the club. Defoe did fairly well his second time around, but generally, we've struggled with buying strikers for a really, really long time. It's like a structural issue at the club it seems.

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Shadydan said:

To be fair getting strikers/forwards in is really difficult as so it's proved, We've tried for Ings, Werner, Martial, Berahino, Batshuayi and they all haven't come off for various reasons.

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Wheeler Dealer said:

Yes you're correct there. Berbatov being the last decent striker we bought, although in patches Adebayor had the odd good game. Soldado, Llorente and Janssen have been less impressive. Crouch was Crouch.. Did what it said on the tin and no more.

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Gassin's finest said:

Lamela at his best, circa up to a year ago, was the perfect Pochettino proponent. High energy, hard working, incisive passing and creativity. He was outstanding against City at the lane and we genuinely have missed his cutting edge in those tight games.

But no player can expect to walk into a team on reputation alone. As Poch alludes to, he has to prove himself again. Mentally it must be very challenging to be out for over a year, go through all-sorts of surgery and physiotherapy and then work hard on the training ground to get back where you were.

I can't wait to see him back personally.

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Blake Griffin said:

not in the u23 squad today so presumably he's back with the first team.

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