---
title: "Pochettino: Lamela faces key season"
canonical: "https://readtottenham.com/2015/09/17/pochettino-lamela-faces-key-season/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ed Payne"
section: "Uncategorized"
published: "2015-09-17T22:52:38Z"
modified: "2015-09-17T22:52:38Z"
---

# Pochettino: Lamela faces key season

Mauricio Pochettino has warned Eric Lamela that he faces a big season at Tottenham, as he enters his third season at the North London club.

Lamela, who was purchased in the summer of 2013 for £30 million from Roma using the proceeds from the Gareth Bale sale to Real Madrid, has mostly failed to live up to the hype and expectation which came with the high price tag and the job of trying to replace Gareth Bale.

![Michael Regan/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readtottenham.com/readtottenham/2015/09/483388862.jpg)

However, it could appear that Lamela’s time at White Hart Lane could be coming to an end soon unless he starts producing consistent performances on the pitch. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to BBC Sport, said of Lamela:

“I think this is a key season for him. After two seasons at Tottenham, now is the moment for him.”

He added: “We believe we can develop his game and I think we need to be patient with him.”

![Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readtottenham.com/readtottenham/2015/09/484852698.jpg)

The 23-year-old, who has 13 caps for the Argentina national side only scored six goals in 59 appearances in his first two seasons in England as Andre Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood and so far Mauricio Pochettino have failed to get the best out of the talented Argentian who in his youth career was compared to Lionel Messi. Although, there have been glimpses of his ability throughout his time in England, his magnificent ‘rabona’ finish in the Europa League against Asteras Tripoli is an example of such a moment.

However, it does seem like Lamela has realized the gravity of his situation at Spurs as his recent performances included supplying the assist for Mason’s winning goal at Sunderland and he scored the third goal in the 3-1 win against Qarabag FK.

If he can keep up his recent run of form, then he seems to have a future at Tottenham. If he doesn’t however, then he will go down as a £30 million flop who failed to live up to his price tag and a further example of Baldini’s disastrous transfer dealings in the summer of 2013.