Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela has admitted that the Premier League's physical nature has taken him by surprise, while revealing concerns over his international place.
Lamela completed a £30m move from Roma to Spurs in August, but is yet to score in seven appearances for Andre Villas-Boas's side so far this season.
The 21-year-old believes that Serie A is far more tactical than the English game, while conceding that anything other than a swift transition will affect his chances of representing Argentina at next summer's World Cup.
He told Clarin: "English football is a lot more physical. It is not like the tactical game they play in Italy.
"I have talked a lot with my teammates and I know I have to adapt quickly if I am to keep my place in the national team ahead of the World Cup."
Lamela's fight for a first-team place at Tottenham continues this weekend, with Andros Townsend also hoping to start when Spurs face Aston Villa on Sunday.