Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Fraser Forster has admitted that life as a number two at Spurs has been a hard adjustment.
Forster has told The Mirror that this is the first real time in his career where he has been a designated backup goalkeeper.
Forster was first-choice at Celtic and then Southampton before being frozen out of the Saints side.
The former Newcastle talent headed back to Celtic as first-choice again, only to be in and out for Southampton upon his return.
Now signed specifically to be homegrown backup for Hugo Lloris at Tottenham, Forster has been finding it a little difficult.
Forster has admitted that ‘it’s hard’ to sit on the bench so much when you want to play week in and week out.
The 34-year-old would love to become Tottenham’s first-choice down the line but wants to show respect to long-term stopper Lloris given all he has done for Spurs.
“This has been the first time where I’ve been a real No.2,” said Forster. “It’s hard, when you’re used to playing every game and always wanting to play every game. I was obviously aware of what the situation would be when I came to the club but I thought when a club of this stature comes along, I felt it was too good to turn down.”
“Obviously, everyone in football dreams of being the No.1 at a club of this stature and I would like to do that if I ever got the opportunity. But, equally, I’m fully aware Hugo is here and what he has done in the game, and he’s a fantastic person. If it comes along, it would be great and I would love it, but equally I’m very respectful of Hugo and what he has achieved, what he has done for this club,” he added.
Fraser Forster unlikely to become Tottenham’s first-choice goalkeeper
Forster has been deputising for the injured Lloris of late, starting against Leicester City, AC Milan, West Ham United and Chelsea.
Two clean sheets in four isn’t bad and Forster turned in a strong performance against Chelsea on Sunday.
It’s ultimately unlikely that Tottenham see Forster as their future between the sticks though.
Lloris has turned 36 and Tottenham need to think about an up-and-coming stopper to take over from the Frenchman in the near future.
Forster just doesn’t quite fit that bill even if he has proven himself to be an able deputy in recent games.
Links to the likes of David Raya and Robert Sanchez make sense for Tottenham as they consider a ball-playing stopper.
Forster may well find himself as Tottenham’s second-choice stopper for a while yet having been given a deal until 2024 by Fabio Paratici.
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