Lucas Moura joined Tottenham from PSG for €28 million in January, yet failed to make an impact during the second half of the 2017/2018 campaign. He’s stepping it up a notch this off-season, evidenced by the two goals he scored in The Spurs’ latest 4-1 friendly victory over Roma.
Lucas Moura period of adaption
Mauricio Pochettino always maintained that the aim of signing a player in January was for him to have the time to adapt, learn and be present in the pre-season so he could hit the ground running in the next campaign. This is Lucas Moura’s take on his situation.
“The first six months was good for adaptation and to get to know the club, my team-mates and my new life. I am now very excited to get on with the new season.”
With Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-Min and Erik Lamela firmly entrenched in the starting lineup, the 25-year-old Brazilian has his work cut out for him. Nevertheless, he seems eager to help his team any way he can.
“Now I am ready to give my best because I will do the whole pre-season with the team. That is important because England is very different. We work a lot because the Premier League is very hard. So I will give my best and be more ready to show my talent.”
He also knows what he needs to do to earn a spot in the starting lineup.
“The manager asked me to be natural like I am every day, to enjoy the training, the games and of course to adopt the philosophy of the Premier League and how he wants to play,”
Lucas Moura’s past and present
Lucas grew up in Sao Paulo, a city known for high rates of violence.
“I grew up in a really poor city,”
“I lost friends I studied with.”
“Everything was difficult. In Brazil, we have a lot of problems with violence.”
However, the rough upbringing didn’t stop him from keeping his faith.
“It was difficult but I always had in my head that I would win, I would be a professional player, help my family and friends and realise my dream. So I always believed in God, I worked a lot to be here, where I am now, and I need to enjoy every day.”
The winger made it out of poverty, became a member of Sao Paulo’s first team as a teenager and eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain for €43 million back in 2012. Mbappe and Neymar’s arrival closed the door for him in France, which is why he embarked on a new journey in England’s Premier League.
“I feel comfortable now but I am a little bit reserved, a little bit shy, but all my team-mates are very nice and I am so happy, everyone helps me.”
“Always at a big team, it’s a very hard competition. It’s not a problem. I believe in my talent. I am here to help the club. It’s a big, long season – there are a lot of games, everyone will have the opportunity. I need to be ready, to show good things, to win my place in the team – and I will do it.”
Based on what he’s shown this off-season, Lucas Moura is now ready to roll.
