Erik Lamela is 'very happy' at Tottenham, says Mauricio Pochettino
Friday 31 March 2017 17:15, UK
Mauricio Pochettino has admitted it was "so strange to hear" that Erik Lamela might have played his last game for Tottenham, saying the Argentine is happy at White Hart Lane.
The midfielder has been out of action since October with a hip injury, and Spurs have confirmed that Lamela will not feature again this season.
Pochettino allowed a frustrated Lamela to have treatment at his former club Roma in January and will next travel to Barcelona on Saturday for surgery.
Regarding some reports that the 25-year-old might return to Italy in the summer, Pochettino said: "Lamela is linked with different clubs and it's so difficult for me to understand. That was so strange to hear.
"It's a player who has not played since October and all that he is suffering in the last four, five months - do you think that he is thinking to move? He is thinking to go to Italy? He is very happy here.
"The problems he has - the club was desperate to find the solution.
"But I think it made me laugh, every time I hear all that in the media, because it is impossible for him - impossible for the club, impossible for his agent, impossible for his people - to think about moving. Where?
"Now he needs help. He needs us to help him in the next few months. I think you know better than me that it does not make sense."
Pochettino believes Tottenham's record signing has the resilience needed to return from the injury, and the club will continue to support him.
He added: "He is a person who likes to work hard. He is very professional. Now I think it's a very difficult situation, very tough for him. He needs our love, our support, and to be sure that all is going well."
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Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to Burnley, Pochettino said the international break could scupper his side's attempts to bridge the 10-point gap to leaders Chelsea.
"It is difficult for us as nearly all the players are involved with national teams," he said.
"Thursday was the first time we met all together here on the training ground to start to prepare for the game against Burnley. It is not much time but we need to accept that and be ready to compete."
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