After eight years, it finally seems that Erik Lamela’s ballad at Tottenham Hotspur is coming to an end.
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It has not always been good – in fact, it rarely needs to be honest – but Lamela has never failed to keep things interesting in north London. Whether it’s a bit of magic in the field, some satisfying sh * thousandery or some silky skills, the Argentine should say goodbye to most Spurs fans when he flies to Sevilla.
Here are eight of the most memorable moments from his time at Tottenham …
Erik Lamela has played in many Premier League matches where he did not score.
But in August 2019, he defied conventional wisdom and made the net bolt with a combined effort outside the area against Manchester City.
Spurs were beaten at the time, so Lamela’s goal was not only attractive but also important. His side continued to draw 2-2, albeit with a large chunk of VAR controversy that helped them in the end.
In February 2018, Lamela treated us – or angered us, depending on your perspective – on one of his best dives ever.
To get the most out of Virgil van Dijk who caressed her ass with her knee, the Argentine threw himself on the floor with panache. In isolation, the incident may not be worthy of inclusion on this list.
It is only when you remember that the resulting penalty – taken with 90 seconds left to play – saved Spurs one point at Anfield.
Lamela was one of the outstanding artists in this remarkable game / IAN KINGTON / Getty Images
Tottenham 5-4 Leicester City was the symbol of “last day of the season, who cares” about vibes.
The defense may have been weak but going forward both sides were electric with Lamela playing a big role. He first pulled back a goal when Spurs were down 3-1 after 47 minutes.
He then helped to level things up and gave home a deflected effort that went in from Christian Fuchs. Another goal soon came with Lamela’s sideline Kyle Walker-Peters crossing past Kasper Schmeichel.
Lamela waited a long time to open her points account / Clive Rose / Getty Images
After going 25 Premier League games without scoring, Lamela finally scored his first goal in a 2-1 victory over Burnley in December 2014.
What a strike it was too.
By cutting in from the right side, Lamela Ben Mee left for dead before he bent home an exquisite effort from 25 meters.
Many tipped Lamela for greatness after the show. Many were wrong.
Lamela was singing against Monaco / Bryn Lennon / Getty Images
Lamela’s only Tottenham trick came in a Europa League group game against Monaco back in 2015.
You’re heard of the perfect hate trick, right? This was definitely not it.
The first was a vintage and the second came with the permission of some horrible goalkeeper. The third was pretty good in the name of justice – a right-footed drive to the near post.
On the bench for Monaco that day was a young Kylian Mbappe. Did Lamela’s display inspire greatness? Yes. Yes it did.
Lamela is well known as a master of dark art, but even with his own high standards getting Anthony Martial expelled was a remarkable piece of sh * thousery.
The contact was incorrect, to say the least minimal, and Ole Gunnar Solskjær left fumbling after the match and stated the immortal and strangely specific line: “If it was my son, he would live on water and bread for two weeks.”
It may have hurt, but it helped his side immediately. After Martial’s dismissal, Spurs went on to a 6-1 victory in what was undoubtedly the highlight of the Jose Mourinho era.
Erik Lamela is no stranger to a rabon goal, you know? Pic.twitter.com/OLNvF0N3Xk
Goal (@goal) March 15, 2021
The reason Tottenham continued with Lamela for so long is that he can produce moments like this.
The stakes may not have been the highest – he scored the goal in a Europa League group game against Greek minnows Asteras Tripolis – but the technique shown was remarkable.
A lack of crowds, congestion in the fixture and bizarre scheduling made the Premier League season 2020/21 a bit of a hit at times.
Lamela at least made sure that the North London Derby was a memorable one and reached the goal of the season … before he got a red card.
The strike can be compared to few if any did before. Somehow Lamela nutmeg Thomas Partey succeeded with a driven rabona that flew into the lower corner while his mouth gaped in the living room and pubs over the capital and beyond.
Later, he was sent to an early bath for the second of two crimes that were as petty as each other. Lamela’s display that afternoon encapsulated his essence, not only as a player but as a human being.
