Erik Lamela became Spurs record signing last year, when he signed for the club from Italian side Roma in a £30 million deal in 2013. He was widely expected to be a direct replacement for Gareth Bale. The young Argentine banged in 19 goals in 53 Serie A starts for Roma an outstanding record for an attacking midfielder and, at 21 years old at the time of his transfer, had already played for his country three times. His first season at White Hart Lane didn't go as planned, however, and he spent much of the season either injured or simply not being picked due to poor performances, but Spurs fans will be hoping he comes good this campaign. He played just nine times in the Premier League last season (six of those appearances came from the bench) without scoring, twice in the League Cup without scoring and six times in the Europa League (once from the bench) scoring only once and that was merely against Moldovan minnows FC Sheriff Tiraspol. A lot can be put down to his age and the fact that he found himself in a completely new culture - and that can be forgiven. This season, fans won't be so lenient with him. His positivity in pre-season this year has been extremely encouraging and he seems eager to interact with fans on social media, which certainly suggests that he now feels part of the Spurs team. If his fellow Argentine new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino can get the best out of him, Spurs could have a real asset on their hands (a goal against West Ham would set him up brilliantly for the new campaign).
