Stevie Nicol has said that Tottenham goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, looked like a ‘drowned rat’ when facing penalties for France against Argentina in the World Cup final, as he told ESPN.
Tottenham’s captain failed to work the magic Emiliano Martinez was able to produce, as the 2018 winners suffered heartache in the most dramatic of fashions in Qatar.
Anfield legend Stevie Nicol felt that, in stoppage-time of extra-time, Lloris should have been subbed off for back-up keeper and Rennes’ 37-year-old star, Steve Mandanda.
Even before the first spot-kick was taken, many felt that the game was already won for Argentina given Martinez’s prowess in between the sticks and Lloris’ inability to be dominant when facing penalties.
That proved to be the case, as Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s penalty, before forcing Aurélien Tchouaméni to go wide, with Nicol being critical of Tottenham’s senior star.
“There was one thing that I thought Deschamps could have done,” said Nicol. “I thought instead of, with what five minutes to go, was it Disasi he brought on? Why wouldn’t you bring on Mandanda when it’s going to penalties?
“You look at Martinez in the Argentina goal, he’s a monster, he is big, his big eyes are staring at you, he is kicking the ball away and he wants to throw it at your nose. He is doing everything.
“Then, you look at Lloris and he looks like a drowned rat standing in the goal. Not only has he never saved a penalty in a penalty shootout, but I read that he came out and said he wasn’t very good at saving penalties.
“So, why are you leaving him in a goal for a penalty shootout?! Get anybody in.”
LLORIS’ FUTURE AT TOTTENHAM
Prior to the World Cup, Lloris wasn’t in great form for Tottenham and there were a few error-prone games from the 35-year-old, most notably the defeat to Newcastle United.
But out in Qatar, whilst France lost that final in the most dramatic of fashions, Lloris did have a pretty strong tournament and there was a change of form for the player.
Either way, it’s interesting to see reports suggesting that Antonio Conte and Co. are looking for a replacement for their long-serving star, who turns 36 this week.
Everton number one, Jordan Pickford, has been identified as a top target for the north London club, back in the summer the Toffees did sell one of their star assets in Richarlison to Tottenham, so it’s every chance they might have to do the same.
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