Lamela: Watch out for Spurs challenge
TOTTENHAM Hotspur’s Argentine winger Erik Lamela says the club can challenge for silverware as the 2020/21 Premier League season begins tomorrow.
Jose Mourinho’s side finished sixth in the 2019/20 campaign, which was extended into July because of a coronavirus-enforced suspension in March.
They qualified for the Europa League in the process despite many injuries to the squad after reaching their first Champions League final in 2019.
With a full squad returning to fitness, Lamela says Spurs can prove they are legitimate challengers as they begin their season at home to Everton on Sunday.
“After so many years, and we were close so many times to achieve big things, I think now, this season has to be the season where we go for it,” Lamela told the club website.
“I know every player will do the maximum, and more, starting this week. We need to start really strong against Everton.
“If this season we can do it as a team, we can build something really important.”
Liverpool begin the season as defending Premier League champions after ending a 30-year drought without a league title last season.
Jurgen Klopp’s men start at home against newly promoted Leeds United tomorrow looking to maintain their unbeaten home run that has stretched three seasons.
Another win at Anfield will take their tally to 60 matches league without defeat, which is three away from their all-time best of 63 set by Bob Paisley’s side from 1978 to 1981. Chelsea hold the Premier League unbeaten home run record of 86 set February 2004 to October 2008.
Fulham, who were also promoted from the Championship last season host Arsenal, Southampton travel to Crystal Palace and West Ham United host Newcastle in tomorrow’s other games.
West Ham striker Jarrod Bowen is looking to improve his goal record for the Hammers after netting four goals in pre-season.
Bowen, 23, joined from Hull City in January before the pandemic stalled the season and now he is embracing the chance to make a full impression in David Moyes’ team.
“I’m very excited, it’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League and now to have a full season at it will be a challenge for me to step up to this level again,” Bowen said.
“I got four in pre-season, and I’ll go into the games full of confidence and I know where the back of the net is.”
On Sunday, newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion host Leicester City before Frank Lampard’s Chelsea have a chance to showcase their big money signings at Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday.
Chelsea have brought in Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen, Timo Werner from Leipzig, Ben Chilwell from Leicester and former Ajax man Hakim Ziyech for nearly £200-million.
But Lampard does not see that as a guarantee for success as he stresses the importance of building relationships.
“I’ve seen how the dominoes can fall very quickly,” he said. “And I think if you isolate yourself as a manager, or you don’t want to open yourself up to all of those relationships along the way, I think they fall much quicker.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers will also have a chance to feature a club record signing on Monday when they play Sheffield United. The club acquired 18-year-old striker Fabio Silva from Porto for £35m.
“I think the record transfer fee isn’t important,” said Silva.
“What is most important is what you can expect from me. That is hard work, humbleness, respect for my teammates and desire to learn from them and the coach.”