Luka Modric, Gareth Bale… Hugo Lloris. If reports are to be believed, the French goalkeeper is set to become the third big name Tottenham player to swap White Hart Lane for the Bernabeu in quick succession, with Real Madrid said to be eyeing him as a replacement for Iker Casillas.
Lloris is widely hailed as one of the very best stoppers around at the moment, with his unique ‘sweeper keeper’ style of play one which allows Spurs to use a high backline and press the ball up the pitch. So replacing him will be a big problem, yeah? Certainly, but here are a few options worth pondering…
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Michel Vorm
Vorm’s arrival last summer was a bizarre one. And it was made even odder when Lloris stayed before penning a new contract. Why would a goalkeeper guaranteed minutes at Swansea switch to Spurs to play, mostly, cup and Europa League games? Maybe the deal was one with a view to Lloris leaving, with the Dutchman, seemingly, a good replacement for his French team-mate.
Vorm is adept with his feet, plays at attacking game (well, for a goalie) and is a solid shot-stopper, making him a ‘Lloris-lite’ type glovesman. Maybe that’s a little disrespectful to the 31-year-old, who has proven himself to be top notch Premier League ‘keeper since his 2011 move to England.
Tim Krul
//www.youtube.com/embed/7x_S_UJwrSg
Newcastle’s stopper has been linked with Spurs on and off for a while now, with his consistent displays in the Magpies’ goal having been impressive. Krul was expected to leave St James’ Park over the summer before opting to stay, but a move to secure European football seems to be his long-term aim.
Guaranteed football at White Hart Lane and Europa League action (seemingly a worst case scenario despite a slow start to the season) could appeal to the Dutch goalie.
Guillermo Ochoa
Ochoa feels like a summer romance now. The Mexican wowed the planet with his World Cup heroics, before a club inevitably came in to snap him up on a free transfer. Malaga were the side to take the plunge, but with no minutes to his name yet this season, Ochoa looks set to leave the Anoeta.
A January or end of season £5m bid is likely to be enough to land the curly-haired shot-stopper, whose eccentric playing style makes him an exciting player to watch.
Kiko Casilla
//www.youtube.com/embed/QNg8zZThFW4
We’ll gloss over Casilla’s horror show against Germany last night – there’s a video below – as he’s actually been a very good performer for Espanyol in recent times. The Spaniard’s call-up is testament to his showings, which have attracted big sides such as Liverpool.
Casilla has already confessed that he may leave his current side to help them financially, prompting talk that £8m offers will be accepted.
Victor Valdes
Despite intense links with Liverpool and Manchester United, Valdes remains a free-agent. The released-Barcelona star is currently training with the Red Devils to overcome a serious knee injury, but he looks to be well on the road to recovery, with a winter return to action on the cards. However, it’s likely that the rest of this season will be a period that Valdes will need time to recover through, so being drafted in by Spurs with a view to replacing Lloris could be wise.
The 32-year-old has won just about every prize available to him and club and international level, which would bring a feeling of authority to ‘The Lane’.