Tottenham Might Not Get Érik Lamela Back This Season
By Ryan Wrenn
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Millwall on Sunday, Mauricio Pochettino confirmed the worst case scenario for record signing Érik Lamela.
The Argentine hasn’t featured for Tottenham since the 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the EFL Cup in October. Hip issues combined with off-the-pitch family drama kept the 25-year-old out of the team since.
Lamela’s injury is the longest lasting of several significant player injuries this season. All of Harry Kane, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose spent some time on the sidelines thus far this season.
A lingering issue with his hip appears to be the main culprit, but complications with his family back in Argentina also kept him away from training. Much to the rumor mill’s delight, Lamela even attempted to accelerate his recovery by training with his former team Roma over the winter.
Though he is reportedly recovered enough now to engage in at least part of an outdoor training session, Mauricio Pochettino isn’t optimistic enough to give specifics. Per the Evening Standard‘s account of Pochettino’s press conference on Friday:
"“I don’t want to lie to you and give some information that after you use, you are right to use. I can’t say one week, two weeks, three weeks, one month or maybe next season. I don’t know.”"
Such delays and unpredictable returns appear unusual for a hip problem, but obviously other factors have also played a role in Lamela’s recovery.
Perhaps the bigger question isn’t when Lamela returns, but rather if Tottenham actually desperately need him to.
Unlike those other players who suffered injuries, it is more difficult to make a case that Tottenham were fundamentally crippled by Lamela’s absence. Though he is one of the side’s most under-rated players of the last two seasons, Pochettino found ways to make up for his absence with relative ease.
There were speed bumps, of course. When Pochettino attempted to utilize the same 4-2-3-1 formation as last season, the side lacked the positive inter-connectivity of midfield and attack Lamela lent. Even with the addition of Moussa Sissoko, or the pushing forward of Mousa Dembélé, Tottenham couldn’t really replicate the Argentine’s influence.
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As matters stand now, however, it doesn’t appear likely that Lamela would enjoy automatic starts were he healthy. Pochettino’s current vogue 3-4-2-1 formation leans heavily on a top three of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. None of that trio can be easily dropped.
Depth matters, however. Especially as Tottenham continue to compete for a Champions League spot in the Premier League and perhaps earn some silverware in the FA Cup, Lamela’s return would be celebrated. Only time will tell if that happens this season or next.