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Tottenham theory: Injury issues are all in Erik Lamela’s head

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur looks on from the bench during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at White Hart Lane on December 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur looks on from the bench during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at White Hart Lane on December 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham’s doctors have cleared Erik Lamela

When he’s fit and firing, there aren’t many Tottenham stars I enjoy watching play more than Erik Lamela. Unfortunately, I’ve almost forgotten what it looks like to see him on the pitch. His injury absence started with his hip, but now it’s due to his head.

The revelation that Tottenham medical officials didn’t find anything wrong with the Argentine’s hip in his most recent scan is quite concerning. It isn’t as if Spurs doctors weren’t looking for trouble. They likely scoured the scans to see if they could find the root of Lamela’s pain.

It’s very obvious that Lamela is having some sort of mental or emotional problems. I don’t say this lightly. My heart goes out to the Spurs star if he’s suffering from this sort of illness. Unfortunately, his mental issues are costing Tottenham dearly at the moment.

A healthy Lamela would certainly be a welcome sight for Mauricio Pochettino. The Spurs manager is still looking for the ideal attacking combination. In particular, Lamela would have been in line for major playing time during Harry Kane’s current injury absence.

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It’s clear that Pochettino won’t get any help from his countryman this season. It’s been widely reported that Lamela will miss the rest of the campaign. Frankly, that puts his long-term status with the club in serious jeopardy.

It will take a great deal of work on Lamela’s part to regain his manager’s trust. Pochettino isn’t known for his patience in players who aren’t working hard for the club. It might be a bit harsh to say that Lamela isn’t working hard if he’s suffering from emotional problems, but I can’t see Pochettino waiting much longer than the summer for him to get healthy.

Ironically, the one thing working in favour of keeping Lamela in North London is his depressed transfer value. Many clubs will be very hesitant to spend big to bring in Lamela after his extended, mysterious absence. It’s possible one Serie A club could take the risk, but Daniel Levy won’t be giving them a discount.

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Our hopes and prayers are with Erik Lamela during this tough time in his life, but there’s nothing physically wrong with him. Everything that plagues the Argentine at the moment is located squarely between his ears.

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