Tottenham Hotspur could save millions by changing Erik Lamela into midfield general

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Tottenham Hotspur will soon have to find a replacement for midfielder Mousa Dembele. The Belgian is out of contract at the end of the season and has reportedly decided to move on from the club.

Plenty of names and some rather eye-watering figures have been mentioned when discussing replacing the player.

However, is there an internal option that could help save Tottenham millions.

Dembele, before he became a midfield maestro, played much higher up the pitch during his time with AZ Alkmaar. Often playing wide or off the striker, he was an attacking option similar in style to current Tottenham man Erik Lamela.

It is fair to say the Argentine is not a typical wide-man. He prefers playing centrally, is not blisteringly quick and spends most of his time bullying opposition. It is those more physical traits that have made him something of a cult hero at Tottenham.

It was not until working under former Tottenham boss Martin Jol at Fulham that Dembele started to drop into the deeper role he plays today. Jol converted him into a midfield creator and it clearly paid off.

Lamela shares many similarities with Dembele which would undoubtedly suit him to the midfield position.

Tottenham will need to bring in a central midfielder in the summer. However, with it looking unlikely that January will see new faces arrive, Tottenham should certainly consider Lamela for a change of role.