Rio Ferdinand claims Spurs player should have had an ‘absolute rollicking’ against Leeds

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has blasted Erik Lamela after the Spurs man attempted an audacious rabona pass in the 87th minute of yesterday’s match against Leeds United.

The Argentine was brought on at Elland Road by Ryan Mason after 67 minutes of action with Tottenham 2-1 down at the time in place of Dele Alli, who had been one of the North Londoners better performers.

Lamela should have earlier done better with an effort on goal in the 78th minute which saw Leeds goalkeeper Meslier quick off his line to close down the midfielder on the right-hand side of his box and block with his legs.

The 29-year-old left-footer, who is known for avoiding the use of his right foot has a track record of rabona efforts having scored a 20-yarder against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League in 2014 and followed it up with a close-range effort in the North London derby defeat to Arsenal earlier this season.

Lamela’s latest rabona effort came with his side 3-1 down against Marcelo Bielsa’s side with Ferdinand having expected one of his team-mates to have scalded the former Roma man for the attempt given the fact his side were chasing the game.

Ferdinand told BT Sport 1 on 8/5/21 following the defeat, as quoted by The Mirror: “There was a moment where he tried a rabona – the goal [rabona] against Arsenal was fabulous and we all were drooling over it – but you’re 3-1 down at this moment and you try a pass.

“The important thing was the reaction from all the players in Spurs shirts.

“I was looking for somebody to get on to him, to say, ‘what the hell are you doing? We’re 3-1 down, play normal’. That tells me a lot.

“I couldn’t imagine being in a team when I played where that player ain’t getting an absolute rollicking at that point.

“And it shows that even the fact he’s trying that shows there’s nobody holding him accountable.

“And I think that’s a huge part, there’s got to be someone in the team dragging him and saying, ‘listen, we’re here to get results, that ain’t helping us.

“Because there’s no fans in here sometimes you’ll get away with that. If there were fans here or at White Hart Lane, you’d be getting jeered off the pitch.”

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