Lamela Backs Tottenham Teammates to Do Well in Europe
Argentina international and Tottenham Hotspur winger, Érik Lamela, has backed his Spurs teammates to do well in the European Championship and Champions League.
With Érik Lamela just one of two Tottenham players taking part in this year’s Copa América Centenario, the other being DeAndre Yedlin, the 24-year-old right winger who is preparing for Argentina’s finals rematch with Chile on Monday is backing 11 of his Spurs teammates who will take part in the Euros.
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Tottenham who had a good Premier League season this past term saw themselves break numerous club records and put on some memorable performances as well as highlight reel goals.
A third place finish meant that Spurs secured Champions League qualification even though Mauricio Pochettino’s side fell short of a league title and placing higher than local rivals Arsenal.
But despite how the 2015-16 campaign ended, Lamela and the rest of his international teammates at the European Championship are focused on representing their respective countries and battling it out for a chance to lift the trophy.
The Argentinean is hopeful that everyone does well.
"“Everyone can do well in the Euros this summer,” Érik Lamela said (via Tottenham’s official site).“There are some players who are French, some who are Belgian, some English and others too with Austria and Wales so I hope everyone can do well.”“It will be interesting to see how they play.”"
Not only is Érik Lamela excited to see what will happen at this year’s Euros, but once both summer tournaments are finished, the right winger expects to see Tottenham carry their domestic form that saw them become title contenders, into the Champions League when Spurs return to Europe’s elite club competition.
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"“For us at Spurs, it will be nice to be in the Champions League next season as well,” Lamela continued.“Obviously we didn’t play in it the last couple of years that I’ve been here but it will be great for this team to be in the Champions League, for sure.”"
This young Tottenham team can compete, and have shown that they could go toe-to-toe with some big teams both domestically and in Europe.
While Spurs’ showing against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League didn’t amount to much as Mauricio Pochettino had decided to take the Premier League more seriously, the Argentine manager’s decision to focus on the Premiership paid off.
As he was been able to get the best out of his players, reaping plenty of benefits in the end by seeing his team continue to push even though a fluctuating point gap behind Leicester City seemed insurmountable with each passing game.
Additions will be needed to give adequate rest to certain players like Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier and Harry Kane to name a few, but like Lamela said, Tottenham can do well in the Champions League.
"“I think we can perform well in Europe – we have the right team to compete.”“We hope that those who play for their national teams come back strong, play well in pre-season and play well from the beginning of our season.”"
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Because Tottenham have 11 representatives in the Euros and two in Copa América, all 13 players could very well have a short off-season, especially at the European Championship. It’s great to see Spurs having many internationals playing this summer and getting experience like Toby Alderweireld mentioned not too long ago, but it’s a bit worrisome at the same time.
Copa América ends on June 26th and Euros finishes up on July 10th, but pre-season will need to begin soon as the Premier League starts in August with the Champions League getting underway in September.
The only thing that will prevent Spurs from continuing where they left off last season, is how fit everyone will be with little to no rest this summer.