Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage on Wednesday night, losing 1-0 at home to Chelsea.
Having lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last week, this was always going to be a big ask for Tottenham.
Tottenham couldn’t overhaul the deficit, and that’s another piece of silverware that won’t be in the Spurs trophy cabinet.
No one player can be blamed for the defeat, but goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini didn’t really do himself any favours.
Chelsea’s winner came from a corner, with Antonio Rudiger heading home Mason Mount’s delivery.
Gollini came flying off his loan to claim the ball, but was beaten by Rudiger in a rash and ultimately ill-fated decision.
Gollini looked unconvincing all night long, leaving many questioning why he was in the team to begin with.
Hugo Lloris wasn’t injured; he was sat n the bench. Antonio Conte seemingly wanted to give Gollini a chance in a big game as he evaluates the goalkeeper.
If this was Gollini’s big test, then he didn’t exactly pass with flying colours.
There have already been reports from talkSPORT suggesting that Conte ‘isn’t convinced’ by Gollini.
That report added that West Brom’s Sam Johnstone is already being eyed up as a replacement this summer.
Sky Sports note that Tottenham have to make the loan move from Atalanta permanent if Gollini plays 20 games.
Last night’s game brings Gollini up to eight in all competitions, and it’s now hard to see him playing another 12.
Fabio Paratici may see something he likes in Gollini, but Conte allegedly doesn’t – and the performance against Chelsea summed up why.
Unconvincing and rash are two words you never want to associate with your goalkeeper, but that’s where Gollini is at right now.
Gollini didn’t break through at Manchester United and even struggled in the Championship with Aston Villa, so this was always going to be a long shot.
Conte may now have made his mind up on Gollini, with a permanent move surely out of the question now.
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