Journalist reveals Spurs star was ‘winding up’ West Ham players during 2-0 win

The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare has claimed that Giovani Lo Celso showed that he is far from a luxury player against West Ham United, revealing a nasty edge to his game.

Lo Celso was back in the side for the London derby, replacing Harry Winks after missing out in the starting eleven against Manchester United with a minor fitness concern.

The midfielder was arguably the best player on the pitch as he dictated proceedings from start to finish and deservedly scooped the Man of the Match award.

On the latest episode of The Athletic’s The View from The Lane podcast, Eccleshare, who was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the game, not only raved about Lo Celso’s technical qualities but also his ability to get stuck in.

He revealed that the 23-year-old was winding up some of West Ham’s players during the match.

Eccleshare said: “He (Lo Celso) was so good, and I do think seeing him up close is even better, the way he moves his body, the way he constantly changes the point of attack.

“I also think, from watching closely and watching some of the off-the-ball stuff, he’s nasty, he has an edge to him, you think of him as being this kind of dainty, creative player but he leaves his foot in, and he was winding up some of the West Ham players.

“I just think he’s got it all. He has that edge to him, he can dribble, he’s so complete and just getting better, and when he plays, I feel quite confident about Tottenham.

“I think it was only the fourth time he and Kane have started together this season and I think that might help Kane, as well.

“He hasn’t got many assists, but he just makes Tottenham look so much more dangerous going forward and provides a lot of balance. I find him really, really exciting.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I think Eccleshare sums up what is most exciting about Lo Celso pretty well. He is not just a creative force, who is more than capable of making the difference in the final third (when played further forward), but he is also capable of putting a foot in and dominating the midfield battle. In many respects, he seems like a cross between Luka Modric and Christian Eriksen.

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