Tottenham Hotspur missed out on the best goalkeeper in the world ‘by far’ when Italy’s Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma swapped AC Milan for PSG, former Spurs ace Carlo Cudicini told talkSPORT (9 July, 8.40am).
Talk about showing them what they are missing.
According to Sky Italia, Tottenham’s already overworked director of football made a last-ditch attempt to lure Donnarumma to North London last month.
Much to Fabio Paratici’s disappointment, however, the giant shot-stopper put pen to paper on a £200,000-a-week deal at the Parc des Princes instead when his San Siro contract expired.
Just to add salt to the wounds, Donnarumma has been very nearly unbreachable for an Italy side preparing to take on England in the Euro 2020 final on Friday; his penalty shoot-out heroics against Spain on Tuesday coming on the back of an outstanding performance in the quarters as the Azzurri sent Belgium packing.
Did Tottenham miss out on the world’s best goalkeeper?
“I think he’s by far the best goalkeeper right now,” said compatriot Cudicini, a Chelsea hero who represented Spurs between 2009 and 2012. “He played a huge part in AC Milan’s great season.
“He’s got a big personality, he’s a player who’s well established in the dressing room. He was the captain. He’s 22 but he’s got the experience of probably a 28-year-old.
“For his first major tournament, he did so well.”
With Hugo Lloris now expected to stay – Jose Mourinho’s Roma have turned their attention to Wolves ace Rui Patricio instead – Tottenham appear to have cooled their pursuit of a new number one.
That will not stop Spurs fans turning a deep shade of jade if Donnarumma produced another stellar showing at the so-called ‘Home of Football’ this weekend.
Donnarumma has already played nearly 300 games, having established himself as AC Milan’s number one at the age of just 16.
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