Erik Lamela says he is happy to compete with both Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen for a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s side, so long as it means Tottenham continue to perform.

Spurs made it seven wins from seven against Crystal Palace as Juan Foyth scored his first goal for the club in a third successive 1-0 win at Selhurst Park for Tottenham.

With both Alli and Eriksen slowly working back from injury, Lamela featured in four of Tottenham’s five games over a 13-day period and is shining as he shoulders the creative midfield burden.

His injury struggles have not just halted his rise at Tottenham, but at international level too. Having not featured for Argentina since 2016, the 26-year-old will now join up with Lionel Scaloni’s squad, despite needing stitches after taking a boot to the head late on in south London.

“I am trying to play and enjoy my game,” Lamela said. “I believe that Christian and Dele they are top players so I think, of course we are competing for a place but we are playing altogether to try and help the team to win.”

Pochettino continues to talk of his delight at Lamela’s performances having witnessed his struggles first-hand, but the playmaker said the manager is placing no further scrutiny on his role now he is fit and thriving once more.

“I think he always talks generally, he doesn’t say nothing to me he gives me the opportunity to play,” Lamela said.

“I am happy to be playing for this club and today we won and are close to the top and it is good to go to national team with this feeling.”

That feeling, with four wins from those five games, means Tottenham can take confidence into the break before they host rivals Chelsea at Wembley, having won their last six London derbies.

Lamela’s compatriot Foyth will join him in the Argentina squad for a double-header against Mexico, and the 20-year-old was delighted with his first Premier League goal, having bounced back from conceding two penalties on his debut against Wolves last weekend, and revealed that he idolised former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand growing up.

“Yeah, it's my first goal. It's unbelievable, and I'm really, really happy,” he said.

“I was surprised, because I saw the ball there, and in the first moment I thought I didn't arrive [on time] but I saw the ball there and I go, and scored.

“Since when I was a kid, my dream was playing in the Premier League, so I'm enjoying it.

“My idol when I was young was Kaka, but playing with friends, I always played centre-back, and I'd say 'I'm Rio Ferdinand'. But I don't know why.”