Nobody can doubt the pedigree of the legendary Frenchman who notched up 360 appearances in the famous Spurs jersey. Hugo has captained some fantastic teams and was in the squad within a whisker of winning Europe’s top domestic competition in 2019.
However, there have been many highs over the last decade and some worrying lows, such as the most recent game against Newcastle. So, are we witnessing the end of his long stint at Spurs, or will he tough it out for another season or two?
Part of the Furniture
Hugo Lloris jetted into London in 2012, and within three years, he was already wearing the armband, and he had won over the hearts of Spurs fans in North London and beyond. Although he occasionally shares the armband duties with Harry Kane, he was a goliath between the sticks when the Spurs were still at White Hart Lane.
Daniel Levy is the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League. Although he has spent much money at Spurs, some of it has been misplaced. It hasn’t been as off the chain as Chelsea’s recent fantasy football roulette campaign, but there have been some wild expenditures.
In fact, Lloris hasn’t appeared to be one of those casino-like punts as we witnessed with Tanguy Ndombele and others. Instead, Lloris is a character with a completely different demeanor, patrolling his penalty area with a self-assured nature, like the type of operator you’d see with a preferred hand playing a game of crypto blackjack.
Tottenham took a gamble on Lloris initially, but this was a hand they played well, so to speak. Lloris has been a safer pair of hands than you’d find sitting at a professional poker tournament’s poker table in some games he has played. His steady, relaxed, composed presence has ensured he’s remained number one for a long time.
Post-Lloris
Now that the former French World Cup winner has hung up his gloves for his national team, the writing is also on the wall for his excellent club career. Fraser Forster, his number two, has been looking for a way to prove himself for the Spurs to challenge for contention potentially.
He’s not the only name in the mix. England’s current number-one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This rumor could start to pick up the pace if Everton fails to stay in the Premier League, which is a serious possibility with just six games left in the season.
Forster isn’t keen to be in the background and simply makes up the numbers. However, neither goalkeeper proved worthy of Tottenham’s number-one title following an absolute disaster at St James Park. If Lloris chooses to move on in the summer, the new manager will likely be pivotal in keeping him or bringing in his choice. Depending on who Levy decides to bring in could be the make-or-break moment for Lloris and Forster.
Spurs Next Season
The new managerial appointment will have to be on point. There’s a strong possibility that the Spurs could go into the start of next season having sold their two longest-serving players. If
Lloris calls it a day or moves to another club and Harry Kane moves onto one of the enormous European clubs that he’s been linked with, this leaves a gaping hole in the spine of the squad.
If this isn’t filled adequately, it could result in Spurs losing their claim for the select group of teams currently vying for the top four. To be honest, that recent showing against Newcastle makes us think that process has already begun.
Conclusion
For everything, Lloris has done at Spurs and how well-loved he is, he turns 38 this year. Suppose the Spurs want to be a team pushing the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle for the top four. In that case, we need to be able to cut away the deadwood and bring in some fresh talent that will be able to keep a spring in their step and a lust for victory so that another repeat of that St James Park game doesn’t occur.
We would say with a heavy heart that he must move on and hand his gloves to a younger, fresher replacement. But without sounding too harsh, Fraser Forster probably isn’t that guy, either. Some Spurs fans have said he is a suitable backup, but he is only two years behind Lloris, and the pair of them aren’t covered in glory, given recent performances.
It’s doubtful we’ll see the Frenchman at Spurs next season. A suitable replacement has been sought for the last 12 to 18 months, which will likely ramp up in the summer transfer window.
However, Hugo will be able to leave Spurs with his head held high and has a firm place in the hearts of Spurs fans for his exploits over the years.
