Erik Lamela: 'England more physical than Italy'

Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela has admitted that the Premier League's physical nature has taken him by surprise, while revealing concerns over his international place.

Lamela completed a £30m move from Roma to Spurs in August, but is yet to score in seven appearances for Andre Villas-Boas's side so far this season.

The 21-year-old believes that Serie A is far more tactical than the English game, while conceding that anything other than a swift transition will affect his chances of representing Argentina at next summer's World Cup.

He told Clarin: "English football is a lot more physical. It is not like the tactical game they play in Italy.

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

Lamela's fight for a first-team place at Tottenham continues this weekend, with Andros Townsend also hoping to start when Spurs face Aston Villa on Sunday.