Giovani Lo Celso struggled to make a proper impact off the bench as Tottenham Hotspur lost 1-0 to Southampton on New Year’s Day.

On the chalkboard

The Argentine, on loan from Real Betis, replaced Tanguy Ndombele after the France international sustained an injury in the first-half.

Despite having 75 minutes with which to stake his claim to be starting regularly under Jose Mourinho, Lo Celso failed.

He had 39 touches of the ball and managed to have one shot on goal, which was blocked, per WhoScored.

While the 23-year-old did lay on one key pass, he had a passing accuracy of 79% and also won two tackles.

However, he did not manage to complete a dribble, while he was dribbled past twice. Lo Celso also failed to win an aerial duel and was dispossessed on three occasions.

Having also struggled against Norwich City in the 2-2 draw, one has to wonder when exactly he is going to come good.

No clues whatsoever: Which seasons do these iconic Spurs images belong to?

Still adjusting

Perhaps Lo Celso is merely struggling to get to grips to life in the Premier League.

He has made 11 appearances for the club in the top-flight but has only had any consistency for the past three games, in which he has played 173 minutes, compared to the zero minutes he managed against Burnley, Wolves, and Chelsea.

Indeed, he has played 90 minutes just once in the league, in Mauricio Pochettino’s final game in charge, against Sheffield United.

Teething problems, then, could well be to blame but he has to come good sooner rather than later if he is to make his move permanent.

Spurs have the option to buy Lo Celso this month should they so wish, per Betis president Angel Haro, but, thus far, he hasn’t shown any indication of convincing them to.

An improvement is needed fast.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans want one man gone in January.