Lamela loving life at Tottenham Hotspur

Erik Lamela admits it took time to find his feet at Tottenham Hotspur, but now feels completely at home in north London.

The Argentina winger was the most expensive of the recruits purchased with proceeds from the then-world record £85million sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, with Lamela arriving from Roma for £30m in August 2013.

However, his first season at White Hart Lane ended prematurely due to injury, Lamela racking up just three Premier League starts.

He also saw Andre Villas-Boas dismissed as manager, while Tim Sherwood came and went in a flash in that same campaign.

But since Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival at the helm Lamela has gone from strength to strength.

The 24-year-old missed just four Premier League games last term as Spurs finished third and he has been an ever-present this season, scoring in the opening day draw at Everton.

(Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images)

Lamela said: “At the beginning it was very tough, arriving in England, another style of football, another country, another language.

“I was injured for a long time as well. That was difficult. I played for three months but then I was injured for seven months.

“That’s football, you need to be strong and keep training.

“I feel well now. I feel good at the training ground and after training,

“I go home and it feels like home. That’s important.

“I’m always focused. I’m happy and that helps on the pitch.”