Some Spurs fans on social media were left amazed by Giovani Lo Celso’s display in the 2-0 win over West Ham United on Tuesday.
Lo Celso replaced Harry Winks in the starting line up from the 1-1 draw against Manchester United, seemingly hinting that Jose Mourinho may take the game to the Hammers rather than sit back with a low block.
That is exactly how things panned out as Lo Celso’s creativity in the middle of the park allowed the home side to dominate possession.
With Moussa Sissoko shielding the back four, the Argentine was afforded the freedom to get forward and play in between the lines and he was a constant menace for West Ham through the ninety minutes.
The 23-year-old seemed to get more and more influential as the game went on and the opposition tired, with Mourinho later admitting that he initially did not intend to play the Argentine for the full ninety minutes (Football.London).
The midfielder deservedly picked up the Man of the Match award for his display and some fans were in awe of what the former Real Betis man produced.
Others also blasted Jamie Redknapp for his assertion pre-match that Lo Celso was not good enough on the ball and that West Ham’s midfield would have the edge over Tottenham’s.
All round brilliant performance yesterday
— No Parrott no party (@malex99999) June 24, 2020
Jamie Redknapp “ Winks is better than Lo Celso, I think West Ham will over run him”
Most touches – Lo Celso 117 ?
88% pass completion
MOTM
Shut up Jamie you mug ? pic.twitter.com/VgCQapkqSF
— TAS⚽️ (@coys100) June 23, 2020
#thfc midfielder Giovani Lo Celso got Mark Noble chasing shadows. pic.twitter.com/bR0ZuXwljy
— Hotspur Related (@HotspurRelated) June 23, 2020
Giovani Lo Celso, what a little player. pic.twitter.com/7TGZCC1sSJ
— LP ☬? (@thfclp__) June 23, 2020
"Lo Celso isn't good on the ball"
Jamie Redknapp 100k a year football expert
— Bardi (@BardiTFC) June 23, 2020
giovani lo celso is a special player. by the end of next season, you’ll know him as one of the best midfielders in the league. just needs time to prove himself https://t.co/kx9dIY3Y34
— alfonziledinho? (@thfcalfonzile) June 24, 2020
It's amazing how this bloke is a pundit. He hasn't got a clue, has he ever seen Lo Celso or Dele play? How is the WH trio better technically? Not to mention being incredibly dismissive towards Kelly Cates at the end. https://t.co/GJKvDoBtBb
— Zak Monagle (@MonagleZak) June 24, 2020
The things I would do to Gio Lo Celso. Simply unplayable
— Max ? (@MaxTHFC_) June 23, 2020
Sissoko and Lo Celso both played well in the midfield base. Sissoko was a steady, ball-seeking presence and Lo Celso was fine as a distributor.
They may be our best midfield pairing for the rest of the season.
— JC McLean (@JCMSpurs) June 24, 2020
Spurs Web Opinion
The thing that most excites me about Lo Celso is that he seems a bit of a hybrid between Luka Modric and Christian Eriksen. He is capable of getting on the ball and controlling games in a deep-lying role like Luka was capable of but also has Eriksen’s tendency to release the ball quickly and contribute decisively in the final third. His versatility is something that suits our system perfectly since we seem to rely on quick transitions to create chances.