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Tottenham's Erik Lamela says his best game for Spurs is yet to come

Erik Lamela cannot put his finger on the reason for this season's upturn in fortunes, but the Tottenham winger is confident the best is yet to come.

Many had written off the 23-year-old as a costly Premier League flop after an underwhelming first two seasons at White Hart Lane.

It seemed during the summer that Spurs were willing to let the £30 million club-record signing follow the likes of Roberto Soldado, Paulinho and Vlad Chiriches out of the club, but their patience is at last paying off.

Lamela has begun to impress on a consistent basis this term, following up a man-of-the-match display in Tottenham's 4-1 comeback win against Manchester City by scoring in Thursday's 1-1 Europa League draw in Monaco.

The Argentina international's finish was straightforward enough but the skill shown in starting the move was anything but, showing exquisite quick feet by rolling the ball onto his right and playing through Nacer Chadli.

"I can't remember it," Lamela somewhat surprisingly told Press Association Sport when asked about that moment of skill. "The goal was from a good counter-attack. I think we deserved it because the break was good.

"We deserved a little bit more from the game, but it is not a bad result because we play away. We need to win the next game at home [in the Europa League] and try to get three points there."

Despite conceding a frustrating, late equaliser, Spurs still sit atop of Group J and can take a number of positives away from the Stade Louis II.

Lamela's impressive display is undoubtedly one of those, with the attacking midfielder now showing his indubitable talent on a consistent basis.

"I don't know what has changed," he said, conducting an interview in English for the first time. "I am working hard every day to find my best. The team helps me and I want to help the team.

"I don't know [if it is because I am more settled]. I need to keep working, keep working hard every day. I am always wanting to help my team."

Last year's appointment of compatriot Mauricio Pochettino appears to have helped Lamela belatedly find his feet at White Hart Lane. The former Argentina international has an impressive record of coaxing the best out of young talent and the Spurs head coach has enjoyed his recent displays.

"I am happy for us and the team too," Pochettino, whose side return to Premier League action at Swansea this weekend, said. "When the player plays well and improves their performance, it is good for the team. This is important -- to always believe in them and give them confidence.

"You wait always for players to show more, more, more and more. This is the same for all players. You expect always the best for young players and for Erik it is good to score again to help his confidence."

Pochettino also said Lamela is finally showing his "real quality" at the beginning of what the Tottenham head coach admits is a crucial season for the winger.

"You know he has the potential, but the last two seasons were difficult for him," the manger said. "It is good for him and good for us that he is starting to show his real talent and his real quality.

"Always you need time and in football sometimes it is difficult to find the time to give the player, because always we expect quick and positive results from the player.

"We know this season is very important for him because it is true - after two seasons he needs to show his real quality.

"Right now in his mind he is ready to deliver and I think that we can only help him to give an opportunity to show."

Pochettino has been impressed by his compatriot, who took longer than most to get used to life in the Premier League.

However, Lamela is in good company when it comes to teething problems in a new country, with his manager pointing to the struggles endured by one of the greats of the modern game.

"Zinedine Zidane arrived at [Real] Madrid in his first season and the supporters blamed him," Pochettino said. "He found it difficult and he was Zidane. Lamela is still young, 22 or 23, and sometimes you need to create a good dynamic in the team and around the training ground to help some players.

"He has come from Italy, he is Argentinian, he has no good English and it is difficult to settle in a different culture and a different team with a different style of football. Not many players who come from Italy have quick success in England. It is very difficult.

"Italy is very difficult. Spain and France are more similar to English football, so players who come from France, for instance, settle more quickly."

Moving within a country is obviously easier still, but the ease with which Dele Alli has adapted to life in the top-flight has been remarkable. The 19-year-old has shone for Spurs this term and been rewarded with a first England call-up, just five months after the midfielder was playing in League One.

"We need to look after him and use our experience," Pochettino said. "It is an important thing that the England call up does not change his life. He is the same player, he must keep his feet on the ground.

"This is our real job, together with the national team and Roy Hodgson and his staff. It is very important for him to play on the national team, he will need to work a lot and keep the similar behaviour he has shown this time.

"The timing is now and we need to look after him because that is the decision of the national team and we need to back him."

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