Why Keeping Hugo Lloris Will Be as Important as Any Transfer for Tottenham
It is apt that deja vu is a French term. Speculation linking Tottenham Hotspur's France international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a move away is the kind the north London club have had to put up with on several occasions in recent years.
Since turning themselves into contenders for a Premier League top-four place a decade ago, key personnel in their most successful campaigns have subsequently found themselves targeted by some of England and Europe's elite clubs. Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale all eventually moved on to Manchester United and Real Madrid, leaving Tottenham handsomely compensated but having to replace cornerstones of their team.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The Red Devils are now said to be in the hunt for Lloris if their current No. 1 David de Gea departs—the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson among those touting the transfer in recent weeks. Spurs supporters will understandably be concerned it is another no-smoke-without-fire case. But if Lloris does stay, keeping him will be as important as any new transfer coming in.
Spurs do have reasons to be optimistic that Lloris will be running out in front of the White Hart Lane faithful come August.
The Telegraph's Matt Law reported last week that Chairman Daniel Levy has "reassured" head coach Mauricio Pochettino his first-choice keeper will not be sold. The London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse wrote similar sentiments, also recalling Levy's refusal to sell Modric to Chelsea in 2011 as possible evidence why Lloris will at least not be sold to a rival for one of the Premier League's Champions League spots.
Several times this season, the Argentinian himself has played down fears his player will even want to leave.
Prior to Spurs' February win over Arsenal, Pochettino said it would be "difficult for this type of club to get him" in response to a question mentioning interest from several big European teams. He added "Hugo is happy here with us, he is very happy."
Two months later during the boss' pre-Southampton press conference, he was asked again about Lloris' future. "Hugo is very happy here and wants to reach the Champions League with Tottenham," Pochettino reiterated. "This is his dream."
A manager who likes to keep his cards close to his chest, Pochettino was perhaps unlikely to offer any other response. Still, he might have been more cagey if he had any real inkling Lloris wanted away.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ earlier in June, the Tottenham and France captain did not wish to speak about leaving. Nor was he keen to publicly consider a move to the northwest: "At the moment De Gea is still the goalkeeper of Manchester United so I have no reason to speak about that."
He did not deny the attraction of playing in the Champions League, however. "I think every player wants to play in the Champions League because it is the highest level," the 28-year-old said. "We work for that and I hope to play Champions League football again."
Considering Spurs are currently only set to compete in the Europa League, this could be viewed as a an acknowledgement of Lloris' desire to try his luck elsewhere. Or, as Pochettino said, he could just be talking about ambitions for his current team.
"Everything is clear in my head and if I’ve signed a new contract it’s because I trust the Club and I’m sure we will progress in a positive way," Lloris told his club's official website after extending his Spurs stay a year ago.
There has been some positive progress since—an improved league finish and a young team holding its own against the division's best—but the Frenchman's patience for tangible proof of this will be tested if a concrete bid is made for him. Pochettino will be hoping it does not come.
Tottenham are likely to bid themselves for a new striker this summer to help out star-man Harry Kane, as well as possible signings elsewhere in the team to join the already secured Kevin Wimmer and Dele Alli.
The presence of Michel Vorm means they are already somewhat prepared should Lloris leave. But with the speculation surrounding the latter, his staying put would provide an undoubted boost to Pochettino's plans.
Lloris' importance to Tottenham has been clear virtually since he joined in 2012. He initially had to bide his time with then-manager Andre Villas-Boas commendably sticking with first-choice Brad Friedel. But once presented his opportunity, the signing from Olympique Lyonnais soon made clear he could cut it in England.
This writer described him as important to Spurs as the on-fire attacking midfield Bale in that 2012-13 campaign in which Spurs narrowly missed out on fourth place. Since then, Lloris' performances have continued to reap greater accolades. His fellow goalkeepers hold him in particular high regard.
Asked in a Twitter Q&A for the club's website where he would rank Lloris among Tottenham's all-time goalkeepers, the legendary Pat Jennings replied "right up there with most of us. It’s difficult to compare the eras, but Hugo’s been brilliant for us."
"I can't speak highly enough of Hugo," Lloris' now former team-mate Friedel told the Sun last year, via Sky Sports. "He is a very good pro and a very good guy."
The American's praising of Lloris as "one of the best keepers in the world at coming off his line and cutting out through balls" also chimed with the complimentary and detailed evaluation then-Spurs goalkeeping coach Tony Parks offered of his player earlier in 2014 (below).
"We'll have the second part of Tony Parks' assessment of Hugo Lloris later. Here's Part 1: http://t.co/qTEKaIFk7C pic.twitter.com/pEsHkNXSSX
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 6, 2014"
Parks described him as "the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and I won’t change my opinion on that." His descriptions and explanations of Lloris' talents are just as pertinent in underlining his value to Tottenham moving forward as they were 18 months ago.
Asked why Lloris is such a great goalkeeper, Parks said "for me, it’s because he makes decisions so quickly and sticks to them." He noted this can lead to him getting caught out from time to time—for example, his miscommunication with Eric Dier leading to Steven Nzonzi's goal for Stoke City in May—but more often than not, he lives up to Friedel's aforementioned praise.
Given Spurs' lack of leadership in defence has continued to lead to organisational problems, an alert and quick-thinking goalkeeper has been vital for the team. Until there is evidence of improvement here, that will remain the case. Parks added:
"Hugo senses danger and cuts it out at source. That means he doesn’t have to rely on his agility to make world-class saves.
Obviously, he has all the attributes that all top goalkeepers have—agility, speed, power—he doesn’t look particularly strong in terms of his frame, but he’s a physically strong individual.
"
Spurs conceded 53 goals in 2014-15. The worst of any team to finish in the Premier League's top-half, it may have been worse without a goalkeeper of Lloris' class pulling off some of the outstanding saves he did on a regular basis.
"Lloris is one of the best keepers in the world," Pochettino said after one such performance in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United in December. "It is not new for me, we know and you know the quality from Hugo."
Initially named vice captain last season, Lloris' assumption of the skipper's armband full-time has added to his responsibility. While not a Peter Schmeichel-like shouter on the pitch, he does have a presence about him. Not enough to compensate for the laxness of his defence, perhaps, but something coupled with his personality which may be for the greater good of the team.
As of April, Spurs were fielding the youngest average starting XI in the Premier League at 24 years and 307 days, per the London Evening Standard's Steve Burt. For players like Nabil Bentaleb, Dier and Ryan Mason, having a player of proven international class in Lloris will only help. Not just football-wise, but in setting an example for their overall conduct.
"He’s an outstanding young person, really, not just the goalkeeper, but the human being as well," Parks offered back in 2014. "He’s a really impressive guy."
Spurs would probably get by OK without Lloris. Vorm is an able deputy, and they would likely be able to sign a decent replacement elsewhere.
But all things considered, while not perfect, Lloris is as good as they are likely to get right now. A man the club can be proud of, and a player to match the feats of any goalscoring striker or the lung-busting efforts of any midfielder.
It is oft-cited, but former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough's recalling of his goalkeeper Peter Shilton's importance to their European Cups-winning team can similarly be applied to Lloris for Tottenham. Per the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson:
"Shilton was the deciding factor. I’d have paid almost any price. A team with an OK goalkeeper is always looking over its shoulder. At the back of its mind, it’s thinking "it doesn’t matter what we do—the fella between the posts might make a mistake."
With Shilton in goal, it gave everyone else more confidence. It spread throughout the side. We were full of ourselves.
"
Tottenham may not get so arrogant as to be "full of" themselves. But Clough's points show why keeping Lloris is just so vital.
Keeping him in place ensures Pochettino's grand plans for Tottenham do not take a costly step back.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
