When Mauricio Pochettino was appointed Tottenham's head coach last summer, it was hoped the Argentine would be able to help his countryman Erik Lamela find his feet and show his true ability at White Hart Lane.

One year on and there is still a mass of deadwood in the Spurs squad -- players who will be encouraged to depart as soon as an adequate offer is received -- but should we count Lamela in that category? Should Tottenham cash in now and take what they can get for a player who cost them £30 million from Roma back in 2013?

Lamela has certainly had another disappointing season. At the start of August last year, he looked as if he might enjoy a fine campaign at Spurs during 2014-15 after some impressive preseason form. It all started so well as he stole the show when Spurs beat Toronto 3-2 in their second friendly, scoring twice in a glittering first-half display. Then he went on to score in a 6-1 victory over Celtic in Helsinki.

Even when the competitive action got under way he was still a star. Spurs were trailing 1-0 away against AEL Limassol in their Europa League qualifier before Lamela came off the bench in the 72nd minute. Eight minutes later Tottenham were 2-1 up and Lamela had set up both goals. Three days later he was at the heart of a 4-0 Premier League home win over QPR, setting up another two goals for Eric Dier and Nacer Chadli.

Unfortunately, Lamela was unable to maintain that form and, as the bigger tests arrived against tougher opponents, he faded.

There have been flashes of genius. The outrageous rabona goal against Asteras Tripolis in November offered a glimpse of what Spurs were hoping for when they signed him -- as did his winner in the 2-1 victory over Burnley in December when he came infield and whipped the ball around goalkeeper Tom Heaton from outside the box.

He was involved in goals away at West Brom and Liverpool after drifting into central areas. Yet, tellingly, it was Andros Townsend who got the nod in the Capital One Cup final, and Lamela was placed on the bench for the next six games while the north London outfit tried to keep their top-four hopes alive.

And it was only when that dream vanished that Lamela got another chance, getting a rare start at Newcastle on April 19. However, his inconsistent form raised its head again as he endured a horrible first half, showing up all of the weaknesses in his game: poor decision-making and an inability to keep the ball, combined with an almost inexplicable over-confidence which often encourages him to take on too many players at once.

Once again, he seemed to bounce back in the following two matches. He scored at Southampton and was then Spurs' best attacking midfielder in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester City, before getting the nod for the final three games as Tottenham ultimately finished fifth.

So, while it's clear that he can play, there have been too many troughs after a peak; consistency remains a real issue. Yet he still finished the season with five goals and eight assists in his 50 appearances in all competitions. The previous year, Aaron Lennon produced one goal and three assists in 35 games on the right flank for Tottenham and did not endure the same kind of criticism the Argentine has had.

The problem is, and possibly always will be, Lamela's pricetag -- the fact that Spurs made him their record signing in the summer when they sold the talismanic Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.

Lamela has struggled to match his £30m valuation. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Lamela may always be tainted by that association. The expectations were high and he continues to fall short -- sometimes well short. But the recent arrivals of 22-year-old Kevin Wimmer and 24-year-old Kieran Trippier suggest that Spurs will keep investing in young players with potential, and it feels too early to give up on Lamela.

Should he be sold this summer? It is hard to say until there is an offer on the table, because every player has a value and someone might make a bid that Spurs cannot refuse.

But should Tottenham cut their losses and accept a significantly reduced price? Probably not. There are enough players who are seemingly on their way out of White Hart Lane and need replacing already.

Spurs are not known for their patience but there is just that feeling with Lamela that he could leave north London, show his true colours elsewhere and leave the club and supporters regretting their hastiness.

He may never look like a £30 million player but it feels like there is more to come. The question is how much, and when? It is surely worth waiting another year to get closer to the answer and lessen the chance of another mistake in the transfer window.