Whether he starts the game or comes off the bench, Erik Lamela has proved to be a reliable piece for Tottenham Hotspur, impacting the game like nobody else can.
His way to ask for the ball and not hide in big moments is perhaps what Spurs needed, as they are one step away from advancing to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
The Argentinian started yet again in the European competition on Thursday, and led Tottenham, along with Harry Kane, to a comfortable 2-0 win against Dynamo Zagreb.
Although he doesn't touch the ball with his right foot that often, Lamela is one of a kind, as he is yet to complete a pass with his right foot in all competitions this season, according to Spurs Statman.
He has also averaged a ball-roll once every 13.4 minutes in all competitions this season, which is more often than any other player in world football.
Hard Worker
The 29 year-old teed-up Kane perfectly for the first goal of the night after a great individual run.
Throughout the first leg fixture against Dinamo, Lamela never stopped working, completing 25 out of his 28 passes (89%) along with four successive tackles and 10 duels won.
''The performance was good, especially in the first half,'' Lamela said. "We were in control. A solid performance."
"We were in control. A solid performance."
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 11, 2021
🗣️ @ErikLamela on tonight's win.#UEL ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/bS8Hj5B6ZS
Although he missed a total of 12 games with a calf injury earlier this season, Lamela has still made appearances in 24 games across all competitions.
There's no doubt his contributions go far beyond the 'stat-sheet', considering the South American international has only recorded two goals and one assist this season.