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28th November 2017
06:57pm GMT

Erik Lamela has played for Spurs' U23s in preparation for his first team return.[/caption]
That's where Lamela comes in. No other player in the Spurs squad has a skillset similar to his. Excellent in 1v1 situations, a silky dribbler and possessing an eye for a key pass, the 25-year-old could inject exactly what Spurs are missing at the moment in those stale home matches.
Pochettino has spoken about the necessity of having a player with those skills:
"If we’re playing against teams like Palace, Swansea or Burnley that are playing a lot deeper, you don’t need pace, you need quality – good individual quality one v one; players like Lamela."Leicester City could prove to be the perfect example of what Pochettino is talking about. Usually favouring the counter attack, Claude Puel's side will concede possession to Spurs, looking to hit them on the break and while Son Heung-min, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen are all excellent footballers in their own right, this match should suit Lamela. Isolating the Leicester full-backs, and drifting into the pockets between Leicester's midfield and defence, Lamela will be able to run at defenders and free up space for Harry Kane to finish chances. The need for a wide player who runs at defenders in this Spurs side explains their pursuit of Wilfried Zaha, but they may not need him now that Lamela has returned to fitness. The Lilywhites will just be hoping that double hip surgery has not diminished the winger's talents.
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