He was last season's Champions League hero, scoring a hat-trick in Amsterdam to see his side through a European final. Yet Lucas Moura is struggling to nail down a spot in Tottenham's starting XI.
Not even his heroics against Ajax in last season's semi-final was enough to earn him a starting spot in the Champions League final with a returning Harry Kane returning to the squad. Throw Son Heung-min and Dele Alli into the mix and it has meant the Brazilian ace has had to remain satisfied with a place on the bench for most games.
However, he started tonight against Olympiacos and has rewarded Mauricio Pochettino for showing faith in him by scoring a sublime goal. Ben Davies initially rolled the ball into the path of the 27-year-old, he took one touch before sending a pile driver past Jose Sa, the Greek club's goalkeeper.
Lucas Moura. 💥💥💥
Just magic in the Champions League. #OLYTOT #UCL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/N65Z2TKOSO— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 18, 2019
After 45 minutes Tottenham had only registered two shots on target, scoring twice. Harry Kane scored a penalty to open the scoring but it's Moura who has given his manager plenty to ponder: Is he simply too good to leave on the bench?
So far this season, he has struggled to get into the starting side but the London club have also been stuttering at stages during the early part of the season. Already they're seven points off Liverpool at the top of the table after only five games. And despite the two first half goals, they're currently struggling against the Greek outfit away from home
Perhaps Moura is the remedy to the London club's early season inconsistency - he's certainly making a strong argument. Produce another late winner for Spurs tonight and it may be simply unforgivable to leave him on the bench in future.
