Why must Spurs keep hold of Hugo Lloris amidst interest from Real Madrid
European champions Real Madrid want Tottenham Hotspur’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and are plotting a £60m move for the Frenchman to replace Keylor Navas.
The 31-year-old has four years left in his contract at Tottenham, which means Madrid have to offer something big in order to test the north London club’s resolve. Los Blancos have been in the market for a goalkeeper, as they keep Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois in close tabs as well.
However, for Spurs, it will be a bad deal to be a part of. They can’t get rid of one of their best shot-stoppers in a season where they are due to play in their new stadium and have the attraction of Champions League football.
Lloris was one of the stars for France in the recently concluded World Cup in Russia, and possess great qualities to remain a number 1 for his current team.
Here’s the reason why Spurs should keep hold of their talismanic keeper:
Spurs need Lloris for the upcoming seasons
The Frenchman has been one of the mainstays for Tottenham since his arrival in 2012, amidst a bad patch for the club. He is a very commanding goalkeeper who loves to come out of his line when required, to act as a sweeper.
His tall stature allows him to claim crosses with ease and start of counter-attacks with quick and accurate distributions. He has a cross-claim success rate of 94%, which is remarkable given the fact that most teams in the Premier League do like to play crosses into the box.
The 31-year-old’s distribution accuracy is close to 78%, with an average distance of 34 metres. Furthermore, he can make crucial saves at the right time to keep his team in it. His average save per goal rate is 2.18 per game (i.e saves made for shots which are on target and goal-bound).
Lloris is a fantastic leader of a young Spurs team, which isn’t an easy feat. Manager Mauricio Pochettino would not want him to depart at such a crucial juncture of the team’s upward period.
Verdict
There is no doubt that Lloris at Tottenham seems a perfect fit, however, if a big club like Real Madrid comes calling, it is quite tough for a player to say no. The Premier League club now has the decision to keep him at any cost, which will also signal their intentions of not becoming “a selling club.”
Stats Courtesy – Squawka.com
