The swap deal between Tottenham and Sevilla for Erik Lamela and Bryan Gil was one that caught most off guard this summer.
The deal between the two clubs was done in pretty quick fashion, with it wrapped up over a matter of days before anyone could really say much.
So far, Lamela has been excellent in Seville, playing a starring role under Julen Lopetegui and earning plenty of praise in the process.
Gil, meanwhile, is still settling in at Tottenham, with it felt he’s adapting to life in a new country and everything else in between.
AS cover that today and say the comparison between the two players ‘will be a constant’ this season as the deal between the two clubs causes ‘some controversy’.
That’s because, on paper at least, Sevilla were getting rid of one of the ‘main values’ in their youth system and acquiring a player who has ‘not broken’ through in Europe, particularly with Tottenham.
However, so far, the numbers are in the Argentine’s favour. He’s got more minutes, scored three goals, provided an assist and won the penalty that secured a point in the Champions League recently. Gil, meanwhile, has one assist to his name.
It’s felt his ‘adaptation’ to life in London is taking ‘much longer’ than Lamela’s in Seville, where a large group of Argentine players have ‘guided him’ through his first steps at his new club.
Of course, things will quite possibly be very different in the long run.
