After Lucas Moura's magic show in Amsterdam, Tottenham will be thanking their lucky stars they did not lose him last summer.
The Brazilian only started twice in the Premier League last season after a £25million move from Paris Saint-Germain in January and had grown frustrated.
Having been marginalised following the arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Paris, the forward would not stand for another prolonged spell on the sidelines. His agent started agitating, worrying Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy.
Lucas Moura scored the hat-trick which sent Tottenham to the Champions League final
Mauricio Pochettino was elated after the game, which set up an all-English final with Liverpool
Pochettino did not sign a single player last summer, but as it turns out, keeping Moura in north London was the best piece of business Tottenham did.
Moura's concerns, one of which was Pochettino's preference for utilising him in wide positions rather than in his preferred role through the middle, were allayed by the Spurs manager.
Harry Kane's position as Tottenham's undisputed No 1 central striker means the role is rarely available, but Pochettino explained to Moura that his searing pace meant he was far more effective being deployed on one of the flanks and cutting in.
Pochettino told Moura to remain patient. The Premier League is a tough school, the boss explained to the 26-year-old. It takes time to acclimatise.
The Tottenham manager's diplomacy paid instant dividends, with Moura scoring three goals in the opening three Premier League games, including a dazzling double that put Manchester United to the sword at Old Trafford.
His 15 goals in 48 Spurs appearances represents a promising return for a player experiencing his first full season in English football.
