Eric Dier has heaped praise on his Tottenham teammate Erik Lamela for his performance against Brighton despite the Argentine being substituted for the eventual match-winner, Gareth Bale.
With the sides level with 20 minutes to go on Sunday, Lamela hit the post with a long-range effort just before being hooked for Bale, who scored the first goal of his second spell with Spurs to secure the points for the hosts.
But despite Lamela’s failure to make the breakthrough against the Seagulls, Dier thinks the hardworking attacker was a key piece of the jigsaw as Tottenham moved up to second in the Premier League table.
Speaking about the squad’s many attacking options, Dier said (via Football London): “I think we have a lot of depth. We also have Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura and Lamela who I thought was fantastic today again, the effort he puts in is incredible. We’ve got a lot of options up front to do different things.”
It says a lot that Lamela continues to start matches while the likes of Bale and Lucas Moura remain on the bench, and Dele Alli and Steven Berhwijn can’t even make the Premier League squad.
Mourinho clearly values Lamela’s work rate extremely highly, and although sometimes there is a lack of final ball, the 28-year-old’s contribution shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Unfortunately Lamela has never been fully fit for any extended period since joining the club.Having said that, his commitment,work rate and undoubted love of the club has never been in question whenever he has played.Has always given 100%.
A very important member of the squad and fingers crossed he can remain fit for years to come.
Well said