You didn’t need an expert in body language or a PHD in psychology to tell you that Hugo Lloris was disappointed in himself.
The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper’s face told a thousand words after Fabian Schar’s daisycutter free-kick slipped through his grasp and into the back of the home side’s net against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Of course, Lloris’ blunder would count for little in the end as Spurs ran riot – a mere blot on the copybook, a pothole on the road to a thumping 5-1 win – but Antonio Conte, ever the perfectionist, won’t be forgetting the Frenchman’s latest high-profile error in a hurry.
It is less than two months since Lloris’ disastrous performance in a 2-0 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was arguably at fault for Ilkay Gundogan’s strike in the 3-2 victory over Manchester City a couple of days later too.
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Lloris, at 35, is no spring chicken anymore. His reflexes are just that little bit slower these days. His concentration appears to be waning. The World Cup winner won’t be going anywhere this summer. The ink is still drying on the contract he signed a couple of weeks ago after all.
But while his future at Spurs is not in doubt, his future in Conte’s starting XI probably is.
After all, if Tottenham are to go from eternal bridesmaids to trophy winners under arguably the greatest club manager in the game, they can’t afford regular mistakes from their last line of defence.
Could Conte replace Hugo Lloris at Tottenham?
According to Football London, Tottenham are looking at a number of different goalkeepers heading into the summer.
Spurs are currently favourites to land West Brom’s England international Sam Johnstone. That’s despite the fact that he, like Lloris, is hardly enjoying a stellar campaign between the sticks.
It’s no secret that Fabio Paratici loves a free transfer.
And Johnstone, six years Lloris’ junior, was one of the Premier League’s finest goalkeepers last term, even if there is always a risk involved when signing an overworked glovesman repelling shot after shot like a scene out of Shaolin Soccer at a struggling club.
Simon Mignolet at Sunderland anyone?
According to reports, Tottenham are also eyeing Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon (Marca) – Spain’s number one at Euro 2020 – and Napoli’s Alex Meret.
The impending departure of Pierluigi Gollini means a new shot-stopper is a must heading into the summer window.
Gollini might not have provided the top-level competition Spurs were hoping for when he signed on loan from Atalanta. Perhaps this is why Lloris’ form has dipped. A new shot-stopper could, perhaps, sharpen his concentration and dig him out of the rut.
- READ MORE: Fulham’s XI if they kept their top stars
But should Johnstone arrive – and it is looking increasingly likely that he will – then Lloris will be under pressure to prove to Conte that he can be relied upon week-in, week-out.
Mistakes like the one against Tottenham can be forgiven. But not forgotten.
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