Lamela ends Europa League group stages with a bang in team of the week

Mauricio Pochettino told reporters Erik Lamela is unrecognisable from the player that first joined Tottenham two years ago. The Argentina winger arrived as their club-record signing during the Andre Villas-Boas reign but was quickly labelled another Franco Baldini transfer flop after only featuring nine times in the league during his maiden campaign.

His form was so poor that many expected the 23-year-old to move on during a summer that saw Pochettino clear out the deadwood. However, Pochettino opted to stick with the Spurs No.11 and his performances this season are vindicating his decision.

Spurs had already booked their spot in the next round of the Europa League when they welcomed Monaco at White Hart Lane on Thursday evening, but the Lilywhites savoured their best performance of the campaign for their final group stage match.

Pochettino fielded a weakened and inexperienced side, but even that was enough to sent Monaco back to the south of France licking their wounds from a 4-1 mauling, where Lamela netted a hat-trick in his 62-minute performance. The Argentine finished the match with a perfect 10 WhoScored.com rating and now only two players (6) have scored more goals than Lamela in the Europa League this season (5).

Added to his hat-trick – which came from just three shots on goal - Lamela also created four chances for his teammates. He was not only a threat in front of goal, but he still carried out the defensive work that has become a hallmark of his game this season. He completed a combined 4 tackles and interceptions.

For more stats on Erik Lamela, click here to visit his WhoScored player page