Former PL manager claims Mourinho will find it ‘hard’ to drop 28-year-old

Former Birmingham City boss, Alex McLeish has claimed that Jose Mourinho will find it difficult to drop Erik Lamela from the side if the Argentine continues playing the way he has been of late.

After coming off the bench and making a reasonable impact in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea last week, the Argentine was handed a start against West Brom on Sunday and he was one of Tottenham’s best players on the pitch.

Jose Mourinho praised Lamela’s performance in the 2-0 win over the Baggies and admitted that he loved the 28-year-old’s attitude.

It was no surprise that the former Roma man started again in the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Everton on Wednesday.

Despite Spurs being knocked out of the FA Cup on the back of a 5-4 loss, Lamela was one of the better players on the pitch for the Lilywhites, with the attacking midfielder even finding the back of the net at the end of the first half.

McLeish admitted that Lamela is a player who often leaves him frustrated due to his lack of consistency but insisted that Mourinho will find it hard to drop the midfielder given his recent form.

The 62-year-old told Football Insider: “Lamela was a guy they brought in around the time Bale left, part of the super seven or something. There were a couple we knew but they weren’t household names.

“I always feel when they come to England they get a real shock. If it’s guys like Cavani, the superstar guys who have immense mentality, they seem to be able to adapt much, much quicker.

“Lamela, he’s undoubtedly gifted but sometimes you’re pulling your hair out saying: ‘Where is it today, why aren’t you doing it on a consistent basis?’ He has got a definite quality.

“If he plays the way he played last night in every game, then it’d be hard to leave him out.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Lamela does not deserve to be dropped for the clash against City tomorrow given how well he has played in the last two matches.

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