Fraser Forster surprised the Liverpool coaching staff with his evolution to a more modern style before the Premier League veteran swapped Southampton for Tottenham Hotspur over the summer, according to The Athletic.
If Forster had not taken Ralph Hasenhuttl’s tactical advice on board – embracing a more modern, sweeper-keeper style while taking his distribution to a whole new level – it’s unlikely a club the size of Spurs would have come calling when his Saints deal expired at the end of last season.
During the 2018/19 season – one that began with Mark Hughes at the helm – Forster completed just 31 per cent of his passes. Compare that to 2021/22; 54 per cent (WhoScored).
As such, Antonio Conte can rest easy in the knowledge that, should anything happen to Hugo Lloris, he has another goalkeeper capable of performing a similar role between the sticks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham signed Fraser Forster on a free transfer from Southampton
“I knew him (from) when he played with Celtic. We played against them in the Champions League; Celtic vs Juventus,” Conte told Spurs’ YouTube channel of Forster; recently called up to the England squad for the first time in five years.
“He’s a really good keeper and a really good guy. For the second (choice) goalkeeper, you need to have a second ‘keeper who is very positive.
“I think we have made the best choice for us.”
Tottenham are not alone in being impressed by Forster’s progress since Hasenhuttl replaced Hughes in the St Mary’s hotseat. Members of Jurgen Klopp’s backroom staff were allegedly ‘taken aback’ by Forster’s new-found confidence in possession during Southampton’s famous 1-0 triumph over the then-Premier League champions in January 2021.
Clearly, you can teach old dogs new tricks after all.
“We always knew he was a very good goalkeeper,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo a few months ago. “But what impressed me the most was that he was very open-minded about trying to develop his quality with the ball.
“His calmness and his composure is getting better and better. Also his long balls are getting better and better. He invested so much time in improving this part of his game.
“For an older goalkeeper, this was a very important step. Because, if you don’t improve your game, you won’t be able to compete in the future.”
Forster is yet to make his debut as a Tottenham player. That could change, however, in November’s EFL Cup trip to Nottingham Forest.
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