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Erik Lamela’s Tottenham demise has been greatly exaggerated

By Rucker Haringey

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham should get Lamela back this year

It seems like forever since Erik Lamela has stepped onto the pitch for Tottenham. His mysterious hip ailment has caused him to miss months of action for Spurs. Rumours of his imminent retirement however, greatly exaggerate his current status.

Spurs legend Ricky Villa started a firestorm yesterday by claiming that there was serious concern about whether or not his compatriot would ever play again. Villa’s concern for his countryman is admirable, but he’s clearly overstated the level of concern the club have regarding Lamela’s status.

The truth is that medical officials at the club wouldn’t allow Lamela to set foot on the Spurs’ training ground if they believed his career was in jeopardy. That would open the club up to significant liability. Such a decision could allow Lamela to take legal action against the club in an effort to hold their doctors culpable for his medical plight.

The only reason Lamela is still training in North London is because the club believe he can help them this season. His contributions may not come until late in 2017, but it would be surprising not to see him step on the pitch in a Spurs kit before the January transfer window opens.

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The club’s decision not to include him in their Champions League group stage squad shouldn’t be sounding alarm bells either. It was always unreasonable to expect Lamela to return to elite competition so soon. Mauricio Pochettino isn’t going to rush him back and expose him to the toughest matches possible.

Instead, you should expect to see Lamela reintegrated into the squad slowly. He’s much more likely to find himself involved in domestic Cup competition well before he enters a Champions League match. Just as important as Lamela’s physical recovery will be his mental recovery. Allowing him to score a goal or two against inferior opposition would be just what the doctor orders for the talented Argentine.

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It’s fair to question whether or not Erik Lamela will ever return to top form or even when he might rejoin the Tottenham squad. Wondering whether or not he’ll ever play football again isn’t a realistic concern though. Spurs wouldn’t allow him on the training ground if they harbored such concerns.

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