With Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son clicking ominously into gear at one end, the role Hugo Lloris played during Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-2 Champions League triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night was always likely to fly under the radar; a mere subplot in a wider tale.
But with the Arsenal-linked Jesper Lindstrom gleaming on what could potentially be the first of many all-action performances in North London, Spurs’ veteran goalkeeper certainly had to roll back the years as Antonio Conte’s side dragged themselves to the summit of Group D.
Jesper Lindstrom stands out despite Frankfurt’s Tottenham loss
Shortly before a revitalised Son lashed a left-footed volley into the roof of Frankfurt’s net – his second and Spurs’ third of a rampant first-half – Lloris had to use every inch of his 6ft 2ins frame to keep out a rasping Lindstrom drive at his near post.
With 20 minutes to go, the latter called the former into action again; Lloris tipping over another thunderous Lindstrom shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Frankfurt’s 22-year-old Denmark international received plenty of criticism for a rather anonymous display in the reverse fixture a week ago. There was to be no repeat of such condemnation this time around; Lindstrom’s silky footwork and ability to strike the ball with fearsome power from either foot making him the biggest obstacle standing between Tottenham and three valuable points on matchday four.
“When you play regularly in a club in one of the biggest leagues in the world, and you help win the Europa League, then there must be clubs that are watching,” Lindstrom said recently; quizzed about reports suggesting Arsenal had opened talks regarding a potential £17 million deal for the one-time Brondby whizzkid (BILD).
“It’s a huge confidence boost to hear that such a big club is watching me.”
Arsenal are big fans of Jesper Lindstrom
If Arsenal were, indeed, ‘watching’ Lindstrom a few miles down the road at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they’d have taken note of the confidence and the swagger coursing through the forward’s veins; totally uninhibited by the pressures of the big stage. The same confidence and a swagger that shone through as Lindstrom waltzed his way through Bundesliga pacesetters Union Berlin a fortnight ago, scoring one of the most elegant individual goals you will see all season.
“Jesper is very young and came from a different league. The Bundesliga is a tougher league than the Danish league. You have to get used to it,” team-mate Kevin Trapp says; hailing a player who, should he maintain his current rate of progression, could soon become Frankfurt’s latest big-money sale following Luka Jovic, Sebastien Haller and Filip Kostic.
“Jesper has already made significant steps forward. You can see that he’s an outstanding footballer and has very good technique.”
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