Erik Lamela: England is much more physical than Italy

Erik Lamela admits that the English Premier League is much more physical than Italy’s Serie A as the winger continues to adapt to life at Tottenham.

The 21-year-old completed a club-record £30m transfer to Spurs from Roma this summer and has made seven appearances for Andre Villas-Boas’s men, notching up two assists.

But the Argentina international concedes that it will take him some time to adapt to the physical nature of the English top flight after leaving Italy.

“English football is a lot more physical,” Lamela told Clarin. “It is not like the tactical game they play in Italy.

“I have talked a lot with my team-mates and I know I have to adapt quickly if I am to keep my place in the national team ahead of the World Cup.”

Speaking earlier this month, Spurs legend Ossie Ardiles claimed that Lamela is “more skilled” than Gareth Bale, who left north London to join Real Madrid in the summer.

“Lamela needs a little more time to bed into Tottenham but he will prove to be a great purchase,” said Ardiles.

“He is not as powerful but he is more skilled than Bale.

“He has been nicknamed the ‘new Messi’ and that’s right – it’s a sign of how talented he is.”