Giorgi Mamardashvili ‘will be difficult to retain’ by Valencia as Antonio Conte’s Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur target one of La Liga’s breakthrough stars, former Los Che ace Miguel Angel Moya tells Cadena Cope.
There is clearly plenty of life left in this old dog.
Hugo Lloris will celebrate his 36th birthday on Boxing Day. But, while Tottenham’s long-serving France international is hardly impervious to mistakes, Lloris continues to roll back the years between the sticks, bailing out his underperforming team-mates on an increasingly regular basis.
Marseille would have been over the hill and far away if it wasn’t for Lloris’ still-razor-sharp reflexes on Tuesday night. Further heroics display against Manchester United, meanwhile, saved Spurs from a drubbing at Old Trafford in October.
Nonetheless, finding and securing long-term replacement remains a necessity. And Tottenham may have found one in Mamardashvili; a commanding and supremely self-confident shot-stopper who, at just 22, is nearly 14 years Lloris’ junior (Marca).
Tottenham see Giorgi Mamardashvili as potential Hugo Lloris replacement
“He is the signing that Valencia has made in recent times,” says former Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Real Sociedad ‘keeper Moya.
“It is true that, if he continues like this, it will be difficult to retain him. But the club has done very well to keep him and renew (his contract). It seems to me that, right now, he is one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga, without a doubt.”
Mamardashvili joined Valencia from Dinamo Tbilisi for around £750,000. He could now be rewarded with a new contract. One which reportedly contains a staggering £85 million release clause.
“Of the under-23s in Europe, along with Diego Costa of Porto, he is the one I like the most,” Moya adds, comparing the Georgia international with Real Madrid’s Champions League winner Thiubaut Courtois.
“He reminds me a lot of Courtois; with a big wingspan, very tall but agile. He has determination, takes risks, dominates and he can block (shots).
“By telling you that he is my goalkeeper in Fantasy Football, I think I tell you everything!”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
