Erik Lamela is nearly back to his best, according to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who says the winger’s recovery justifies his caution with players returning from injury.
The former Roma player started the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Juventus and he is expected to cover the injured Harry Kane in the next few games after replacing the striker at Bournemouth on Sunday.
“He’s doing fantastic in the last few months but we need to be careful with him,” Pochettino said of Lamela. “After one year of injury, we cannot force him to do something. That is the problem.
“We have information about every single player and we’re professional and we try to look after everyone.
But it’s so difficult to translate that to our fans. I understand polemics and controversy about different things — that’s normal — but in the way that we manage every single player, and in this case Lamela, it’s to help them play at their best again.
“For me, Lamela is still not at his best but I think he’s very close. And I think the way that we are managing him is fantastic.”
“He doesn’t need to impress me because I know him very well and we know very well what we can expect from him,” Pochettino added.
“I am so happy and the other day after Harry Kane’s injury he was fantastic on the pitch. I think what he started to show against Juventus was fantastic too and Rochdale [in the FA Cup fifth-round replay], and every time he has had the possibility to play he’s shown his quality.
“He’s going to be a player that is going to help in the last period of the season in the FA Cup and the Premier League.”
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