ERIK: WE’LL BE MAJOR PLAYERS IN TITLE RACE
ERIK LAMELA believes he is proof that Spurs will continue to compete for the Premier League title.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side seemed favourites to pip Leicester and become champions of England for the first time since the 1961 campaign at times last season.
But they fell away on the final stretch and lost out on second spot to north London rivals Arsenal.
Lamela (right) arrived three years ago from Roma and it was only last season he showed his true ability under the watchful eyes of fellow Argentine Pochettino.
Suddenly, he grew into a crucial player as Spurs punched above their weight and looked genuine title contenders, before they finally ran out of steam.
Their displays even caught the boss by surprise as he never expected they would blossom until this season.
After their heroics of the last 12 months, many believe this could be their year, despite both Manchester clubs and Chelsea bringing in new managers. Pochettino has added quality in the shape of Victor Wanyama from Southampton as well as AZ Almaar’s Vincent Janssen and is currently tracking Marseille winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou.
A lot like Lamela, Spurs have added steel to their game and the reason they can really take heart is the fact that, at present, the club is TONY STENSON equipped to sustain this level of achievement into the foreseeable future. While some believe Leicester’s success was just a flash in the pan, Tottenham are in a position to get better. Their matchday squad was the youngest in the league most weeks. Players like Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Lamela and Harry Kane are far from reaching their peaks. Full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are both England players while keeper Hugo Lloris is one of the best. If they can keep this team together – and even add to it with transfers or promotions from the academy – then there is every reason to believe that the club will remain in title contention this season and beyond. Lamela feels there is something in the air at White Hart Lane right now. He said: “It was difficult for me in the first year as I was injured for a long time but that can happen. I knew that my moment would arrive. “I was confident in myself, always. This is very important, I always trusted in myself and working hard every day was the solution. “I fought hard and this is also how the team plays. We fight for everything, we all want the same thing and that is to win. “I think the team has helped me a lot, I have helped the team also. “All we want to do is bring Tottenham Hotspur up a level.”