Lamela

Lamela has under 900 minutes of PL football under his belt since his huge layoff, and that has been spread across 25 matches - it is not enough consistent football to decide either way, but I think he has contributed myself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

I am thinking of the 3 years before his injury as well, sorry but just does not do enough overall.

It`s all good and well saying upgrade Lamela, but there is no guarantee a replacement will be any better, without spending a large amount for proven quality. Mahrez for example, would probably cost £60m+.

We have more important areas of the squad that needs improving before even considering replacing a player like Lamela.

We have more important areas of the squad that needs improving before even considering replacing a player like Lamela.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I definitely agree with that, we have full back problems, huge problems in CM if Dembele goes and a possible problem at CB if Toby does end up going.

Lamela should be one of the last problems we address he is not exactly a massive weakness

I wouldn’t bust a gut to keep him, but at the same time I’m not exactly carrying his luggage to the airport. If we could find an upgrade then I’d be up for Lamela being replaced. Certainly don’t want that Mahrez nor do I want Zaha.

I’m not a massive fan of Wanyama either. There’s more to football than being big and strong. He lacks quality in possession.

He lacks quality in possession.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

He lacks quality full stop

comment by Billy The Yidd (U3924)
posted 5 minutes ago
It`s all good and well saying upgrade Lamela, but there is no guarantee a replacement will be any better, without spending a large amount for proven quality. Mahrez for example, would probably cost £60m+.

We have more important areas of the squad that needs improving before even considering replacing a player like Lamela.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no guarantee of anything in football but we can try. Salah and Mane didn't cost that much more than him but are vastly superior.

As Billy said lets handle our bigger weaknesses first

Also, Lamela is still just 26, with years ahead of him, he knows the PL and Poch`s methods, he contributes, albeit probably not enough goals and assist wise, and has great work rate.

We know how long it takes new players to adjust to Poch`s ways, so bringing in too many new faces at once is not always wise.

I`d keep Lamela at least another season and assess after, he is a good part of the squad and also the closet thing we have to Eriksen.

Lamela has to stay at least to have off the bench. He works very hard and has the ability to break through. He needs consistent minutes, as before injury and other issues he was one of our best players.

We need another striker, deep lying midfielder and we should be good to challenge. Thats if we keep our key players.

Ive always felt Toby will stay. Hope thats the case.

comment by grandspurs (U3810)
posted 11 hours, 16 minutes ago
Lamela has under 900 minutes of PL football under his belt since his huge layoff, and that has been spread across 25 matches - it is not enough consistent football to decide either way, but I think he has contributed myself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

I am thinking of the 3 years before his injury as well, sorry but just does not do enough overall.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The full season prior to his injury (Leicester champions) he made a very good contribution .

The two before that were meh - I know, because I thought the same thing then as you so now - but he deserves a squad place in my opinion.

There are far weaker players in the 25. If Dembele leaves too, losing Lamela would weaken us further in terms of technical players with a bit of bite