Erik Lamela has signed a contract extension with Tottenham Hotspur keeping him at the club until 2022. Despite missing large parts of the last two seasons, Spurs showed faith in Lamela by inking him to a new four-year deal.
Lamela becomes the third Tottenham player this summer to re-sign with the club. Heung-min Son and Harry Kane have already put their names on new deals.
Although he missed large parts of the season, he still managed 25 appearances in the Premier League last term. Eighteen of those matches were as a substitute, however. Lamela managed to score two goals and tally two assists during his 832 minutes of league action.
At just 26, Lamela will be coming into the prime years of his career. He has been linked with moves away from the club for some time, but his new contract shows his desire to stay at the club. If fit, Lamela can be one of the best players on the pitch for 90 minutes. Yet, the Argentine has shown he can also go missing in matches.
Supporters’ feelings about Lamela have been split since the day he arrived from Roma. Lamela played just nine times in the Premier League his first season. His debut year came to an end thanks to a back injury. The next two years saw Lamela accumulate 67 appearances in the league.
His best year in terms of goals and assists came in 2015-16. The winger scored five times and assisted seven Spurs’ goals in the Premier League. In the three injury-plagued seasons that have followed, Lamela has scored just three goals while adding five assists.
There's those who understand football
And those who don't rate @ErikLamela— Daniel Elsom (@YidRaven) July 20, 2018
It’s utterly ridiculous that a footballer can avoid stick such as Erik Lamela “because he never stops running” literally zero footballing ability, career at spurs has lived off 1 Rabona
— Jordan (@Jordan_Forbes7) July 20, 2018
Just going to be blunt and honest.
Erik Lamela getting a new contract must be the 7th wonder of the world.Son I get, the guy is class. Son carried us at times last season.
Lamela isn’t even good enough to be a squad player anymore. Little end product.
— Harry C (@HazSpur92) July 21, 2018
Perhaps will a full season without injury Lamela could return to his best of 2015-16. However, Spurs could have cashed-in on Lamela this summer and recouped some of the £25 million-plus they paid for him.
Spurs supporters will hope the club can now tempt in-demand centre-back Toby Alderweireld after Lamela’s decision to stay. The defender is also at odds over a new deal.
Were Tottenham smart to re-sign Erik Lamela for four more years?
