Hugo Lloris deserves better than what he's received at Tottenham

An exasperated look of sheer helplessness strewn across the face of their darling goalkeeper has become a sight all too familiar for fans of Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris has long looked a player too talented to be missing out on Champions League football, instead stuck at White Hart Lane, and reports have surfaced once again that he will look for a route out of N17 this summer with Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester United all supposedly interested.

The France No. 1 has tried valiantly to provide a last line of defence behind a terribly error-prone Tottenham back line, but time and again he has been unable to save his side. In an almost-surreal repetitively fatalistic manner, Spurs once again find themselves outside the top four and facing another summer of struggling to hold on to their best players while also attracting talents who can improve a squad that's in need of fresh blood.

Ever since Lloris joined in 2012, Spurs fans will have been pinching themselves at how they managed to sign such a brilliantly gifted goalkeeper let alone keep him for three of the best years of his career. He still has a fair few seasons in him, but one can quite easily understand any wishes he has to play at the highest level sooner rather than later. Given that he is France captain and almost undeniably among the three best goalkeepers in the Premier League, Champions League aspirations make perfect sense.

Lloris is a fantastic shot-stopper, to whom Spurs owe a great deal for any success they have managed. Throughout the three seasons he has spent in England, only a handful of others have made more saves than Lloris (248), who has averaged 2.6 per game. Since the start of last season, he has stopped more shots taken from inside the penalty area (131) than any other player, and ranks third in that regard since joining Tottenham. Clearly, his reactions are barely paralleled and will be hugely difficult to replace should he be on his way at the end of the current campaign.

What's more, since the start of 2012-13, Tottenham's outfielders have committed 10 more errors leading directly to an opposition goal (32) than any other Premier League side -- ahead of Arsenal's 22, Liverpool's 20 and Everton's 16. While a little of this blame could be placed at the feet of Lloris for not organising his defence sufficiently, more should be placed with those players themselves for all of their own mistakes. Or with Andre Villas-Boas for his ludicrously high line, Tim Sherwood for opting to forego a defensive midfielder or Mauricio Pochettino for his insistence on passing out from the back.

Whatever the reason, Lloris has had his work cut out for him at Tottenham and has provided an invaluable presence between the sticks while those in front of him continue to fail him. That exasperated look doesn't even begin to do it justice.

All the while, he has remained professional in the face of adversity, sticking to his job and leading by example, maintaining a commendable saves-to-shots ratio of 69.6 percent this season.

Lauded most often for the speed with which he comes off his line, Lloris has unsurprisingly swept up play behind his defence more times (117) since coming to England than any other goalkeeper. Athletic, agile and quick, he makes the perfect player to play in a team that dominates possession high up the pitch and looks to keep a high line.

On more than a few occasions in the past few years, Spurs would have suffered with any other goalkeeper trying to do Lloris' job. Accordingly, they have a 56.4 percent win ratio with Lloris in the starting XI compared to just 40 percent without him. Michel Vorm is a very capable understudy, but as their permanent No. 1 Spurs will be significantly weakened.

Of goalkeepers to feature regularly during the time that Lloris has spent in England, only a few have averaged a higher WhoScored rating than his 6.76. He is a true all-rounder that Tottenham did incredibly well to even sign in the first place and will understandably miss terribly once he inevitably departs for one of football's elite clubs.

It may even make more than a small portion of Spurs fans happy to see him sporting a smile more often than he has in the last few months.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is yet to consider signing Aaron Lennon permanently from Tottenham

Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists the focus has to be on getting the most out of Aaron Lennon's loan spell before thoughts even turn to a permanent deal.

The Tottenham winger has been one of the more impressive performers since moving to Goodison Park in the winter transfer window.

Lennon, 28, has just four more matches to impress as he is ineligible to play against his parent club on the final day of the season and Martinez said that must be the priority for all concerned.

'Aaron is enjoying his football and his contribution to the team has been significant,' said the manager.

'He has got four games left and all I want is for him to enjoy every single second of it and make sure he enjoys the experience as much as we have benefited from his talent.

'Then, at the end of the season, will be the moment to sit down. A loan is a loan and it means that we are looking for a successful outcome out of that.

'Then, when the loan finishes, you have got a three-way conversation to see where that will take us.

'But the focus now is to see 'Azza' enjoying his football in the next four games.'

Reports have linked Lennon with a swap deal with Toffees' forward Kevin Mirallas come the summer, with the Belgium international's future at Goodison uncertain after declaring in February he was looking for a new challenge.

Mirallas scored on his first start since early March with the only goal against Burnley and Martinez is looking for the 27-year-old to finish the season strongly.

'Kevin is a special player for us,' Martinez told evertontv.

'He brings a goalscoring threat that is so important in football. It's good to see that Kevin is well over his injury now and can challenge for a place in the team.

'It's great to have as many players like Kevin fit and available because it gives you different opportunities to show a threat to the opposition.

'I'm looking forward to seeing how strong Kevin can finish the season now.'

nguon: dailymail

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman hails predecessor Mauricio Pochettino ahead of 'special' match with Tottenham

Ronald Koeman is looking forward to this weekend's 'special' match against Tottenham, ahead of which the Southampton manager praised the 'great job' predecessor Mauricio Pochettino did at St Mary's.

The former Argentina defender ended a 16-month stint on the south coast last summer to sign a five-year deal at White Hart Lane.

Pochettino's exit was the catalyst to an unparalleled talent drain from St Mary's, although successor Koeman has not only steered the club to calmer waters but to new heights.

With five matches remaining, Saints are just a point and a place worse off than Spurs in sixth and can usurp them in the European spots with victory in Saturday's early kick-off.

'Everybody was afraid because we had to make a lot of changes in the team,' Koeman told reporters. 'But I think the quality of the players that we brought in were good, at a good level. I think the rest of the players had really a good aspiration and ambition to do a good season, to play a good season at a good level.

'Now we are fighting for a high position in the table. There's still five games to play and a very nice one this Saturday afternoon.

'It is Tottenham, the difference is only one point and, okay, for the fans maybe it makes it a little bit more special because Mauricio is now the coach and was the coach of Southampton.

'He is the coach of the opponent this Saturday, so that makes it special but the game will be decided between the white lines.'

Koeman was speaking at St Mary's after meeting Barclays Spirit of the Game hero Tina Croucher, who was being rewarded for her community work at the club.

The Southampton manager and midfielder Victor Wanyama answered questions from a handful of supporters as part of the event, where talk of Pochettino was rarely far away.

Koeman says his return along with the potential implications of the result makes Saturday's match the biggest at St Mary's since he took the reins.

A positive result would see Saints break their record Premier League points haul set last year by Pochettino, although he is unlikely to get a particularly warm reception.

The former Argentina defender's departure left a sour taste with many Southampton fans, whose travelling support gave him a taster of what to expect at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.

'Sometimes if you go as a Barcelona player to Madrid the reception is difficult, and sometimes in Holland,' Koeman said, when asked if he has such a bad reception.

'But, okay, I think the reception for Mauricio normally has to be good because he did a great job for Southampton.

'I like him as a person and as a coach and we have a good contact.'

There certainly does not appear any bad blood between Koeman and Pochettino, despite the latter suggesting earlier in the year that he handed the Dutchman an easy job at Southampton.

Koeman took those comments in his stride, joking at the time that he only came to Southampton 'to have a nice little holiday'.

Now, just days before the game, the Saints boss gave a more serious answer, praising his Spurs counterpart for the legacy he left at St Mary's. 'I think they make the beginning (of this) and developed the quality of the players, the young players,' Koeman said.

'I think the structure and organisation in the team, the spirit of the players starts under Mauricio.

'I took that over and maybe we were different in some details. From what I heard, maybe I try to do more training sessions with the ball and maybe he was a little bit more physical.

'I think the start, for the development of the team, was under Mauricio and he did a great job last season.

'We continue (that) and so far we made it a little bit better than it was, but that is all about the experience and quality of the players.' 

nguon: dailymail

A number of home supporters are set to snub Sunday's encounter at St. James' Park to rally against Mike Ashley as both sides go in search of a much-needed victory

Newcastle United welcome Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday with the prospect of a fan boycott looming amid their continued struggles of late.

John Carver's side are on a five-match losing streak and sections of supporters are set to make their discontent clear by staging protests before and after the game, while many will snub the fixture itself.

It lends a further sour note to what is proving to be another frustrating end to a disappointing campaign for the north-east club, who will hope the visit of Spurs can provide a turning point in their bid to make certain their safety.

A 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane came early in a six-match winning run before the turn of the year - a sequence that included triumphs over Manchester City and Liverpool - but they are now nine points from the bottom three with six games remaining. 

Carver welcomes back captain Fabricio Coloccini from suspension and hopes the Argentinean's return can help stop Harry Kane, who was nominated for both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards on Thursday.

"[Kane's] been outstanding and I think he's earned the right to get into the England team," said Carver.

"It's great to see a young British talent do so well but we've got a more settled back four now. Daryl Janmaat will go to right-back, with [Mike] Williamson and Coloccini [at centre-half].

"Hopefully, they can stem his flow."

Newcastle - who see Moussa Sissoko start his two-match suspension for his red card in Monday's defeat to Liverpool - have scored just twice in their last seven games, with the absence of top scorer Papiss Cisse undoubtedly a contributing factor.

Like Sunday's hosts, Spurs too have struggled in front of goal lately.

Kane has not found the net since returning from England duty and Mauricio Pochettino's side need points quickly if they are to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season's Europa League.

With goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (knee) and defender Jan Vertonghen (illness) having missed Spurs' last two outings, Kane has assumed the captain's armband and the 21-year-old spoke this week of his desire not to allow his remarkable season to fizzle out.

"I'm delighted to be nominated for both [PFA] awards, to have that appreciation from fellow players is a huge honour and it shows you are doing the right things," he told the club's official website.

"It's been a hectic, crazy season with a lot of highs and this is another special moment.

"The last couple of games have been disappointing, we've not produced the performances we’ve been looking for but there are plenty of games left, starting at Newcastle on Sunday."
nguon: goal

Tottenham travel to the north east on Sunday as Magpies supporters rail against the club's ownership, and the Argentine is concerned by the potential reaction of the team

Mauricio Pochettino admits he does not know what to expect from Newcastle United when Tottenham travel to St James' Park this weekend.

A section of Newcastle fans plan to boycott Sunday's Premier League clash in opposition to club owner Mike Ashley and Pochettino is concerned that the Magpies could react positively on the pitch, with Spurs having seen their push for the top four fall away after collecting just one win in their last four league games.

"We don't know [what will happen]," he said. "Sometimes the effect on the players is positive. Sometimes the players are scared and run more.

"Or sometimes they feel under pressure and don't show their faces. You never know and it is difficult to guess what will happen on Sunday."

Tottenham could be without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Kyle Walker for the trip to Newcastle, with both players set to be assessed after training on Saturday.

"We have doubt with them, we have training [on Saturday] but need to assess their levels, but they are a doubt," he added.

"I think they are close to a return, we will analyse after [Saturday]."
nguon: goal

Both sides tasted defeat last time out and our tipster is anticipating a low-scoring game when John Carver's side welcome Spurs to Tyneside on Sunday afternoon

Newcastle United are enduring a miserable run of form and John Carver's men will be aiming to stop the rot when they play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

A 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Monday night marked a fifth successive Premier League loss for the Magpies, while John Carver's men have managed just one goal in their last five outings.

Given Newcastle's dismal form of late, it is little surprise to see the hosts chalked up at a chunky with Sportingbet to take maximum points from Sunday's clash, while the same firm go that the match ends in stalemate.
Spurs, too, were beaten last weekend, as Mauricio Pochettino's side suffered a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.

Nevertheless, it is the away side that are chalked up as favourites to win at St James' Park, with Sportingbet offering a tempting quote for a Spurs win on Sunday afternoon.

It is worth noting that Mauricio Pochettino's side have managed just two goals in their last five matches away from home in all competitions and, with John Carver's men woefully short of confidence in front of goal, a low-scoring encounter seems likely when these two sides go head-to-head on Sunday.

The quote from Sportingbet for fewer than three goals to be scored on Sunday appears to be a solid selection for punters, while the same firm offer that either side fails to find the target on Tyneside.
Despite suffering a setback against Villa last weekend, Spurs still harbour hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League and those anticipating a cruise for Pochettino's men may be tempted by the chunkyfor Spurs (-1) to win this weekend.

However, it is worth noting that Newcastle have not lost by more than a single goal at St James' Park since being beaten 2-0 by Manchester City back in August and Carver's men are capable of frustrating Spurs on Sunday.

Therefore, it is the generous quote from Sportingbet for fewer than three goals to be scored at St James' Park that is the recommended play for punters ahead of Sunday's showdown.

The England international scored in injury time to complete a routine victory for Mauricio Pochettino's men, with Nacer Chadli and Christian Eriksen also on the scoresheet

Newcastle United failed to halt their dismal run of form on Sunday as they were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham at a sparse St James' Park. 

Some supporters boycotted the game in protest at the running of the club and a perceived lack of ambition from the board.
And for those who were in attendance, there was little cause for cheer as goals from Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane eclipsed Jack Colback's effort to inflict a sixth consecutive defeat on the hosts.

Chadli gave Mauricio Pochettino's side a half-time lead with a long-range strike 29 minutes in, though Tim Krul might have done more to save the effort. 

However, Newcastle equalised early in the second half - Colback restoring parity 18 seconds after the restart.

If there was any doubt about Krul's role in Spurs' first goal, there was nowhere for the goalkeeper to hide with the second, as Eriksen's 53rd-minute free-kick eluded the Dutchman's grasp and found the back of the net.

Kane's 30th goal of the campaign added to John Carver's woes, with Newcastle remaining just seven points clear of the relegation zone, while Spurs moved above Southampton into sixth.

Skipper Fabricio Coloccini returned from suspension and was required to snuff out an early Kane opportunity in a low-key opening 10 minutes on Tyneside.

Ayoze Perez had the first effort on target, side-footing a Yoan Gouffran cross at Michel Vorm, as Spurs initially struggled to convert their possession into clear-cut chances.

However, when Gouffran carelessly lost possession in midfield, Chadli made the most of the time and space afforded to him to fire past Krul and further dampen an already muted atmosphere.

Newcastle demonstrated a stark lack of attacking invention in the first half, but Carver introduced Sammy Ameobi and Gabriel Obertan at the break and the reshuffle paid dividends almost immediately whenColback levelled.

After Perez's perseverance, Daryl Janmaat saw a shot blocked before Colback steered home the loose ball inside a minute of the second half.

It was only Newcastle's second Premier League goal in six outings, but Newcastle quickly fell behind again when Krul failed to deal with Eriksen's curled delivery.

The Dane's free-kick evaded a host of Spurs players as well as the Newcastle goalkeeper to restore the visitors' advantage, before Nabil Bentaleb came close to heading home a third - grazing the roof of the net following Chadli's cross.

Krul atoned for his error by keeping out Kane's point-blank header, only to be beaten by the England striker's one-on-one finish in stoppage time as the hosts miserable day was completed. 
nguon: goal

England manager Roy Hodgson backs Harry Kane for Under-21s

England manager Roy Hodgson maintains Tottenham striker Harry Kane is the right choice for the Under-21s in June, and has backed him to avoid fatigue this summer.

Kane has scored 30 goals for Tottenham this season, and scored on his full England debut against Lithuania last month.

He is expected to miss the next two senior internationals, in favour of joining Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 squad for the European Championship in the Czech Republic

“If Harry is selected for the Under-21s, and I’m sure he will be, I’m more than happy that he goes there," Hodgson told Sky Sports News HQ at Wembley stadium, at an event to promote St George’s Day.

"I said to Gareth early on, the players who have helped them qualify and want to reap the rewards by playing in the tournament, I would step back and he would have first choice of those players. He’s been excellent, a real pleasure to work with in the last ten day get-together.

"It was nice he was able to make his England senior debut before going off to play with the Under-21s this summer. It’s an indication that, if you’ve got the courage to put your faith in these players.

"They are youngish. But let’s be fair, the top players in the world, like Messi, or Maradona, a Cruyff, Beckenbauer, they were all playing when they were 18 and 19. We shouldn’t be writing people off just because they haven’t reached the age of 25.” 

Hodgson has backed Kane and his Under-21 teammates to avoid burnout in the summer.

The final of the European Under-21 Championship is on June 30, more than two weeks after England’s senior team play their Euro 2016 qualifying game in Slovenia. 

“I’m not concerned about that at all,” added Hodgson. “They can handle it. Players through the years have handled lots and lots of games. We don’t play more games now.

"You’ve got a statue of Bobby Moore behind me here, he was regularly playing 60 to 70 games a year, and I don’t remember burnout ever being discussed. I think that Harry Kane, and the players like him for the Under-21s, will be raring to go in the Czech Republic and I don’t think burnout will ever feature in their minds. 

"That’s part of the game. If you want to be an international player, unfortunately, you have to play sometimes in the summer months.”

Hodgson was speaking after watching schoolchildren design England posters during a lesson at Wembley’s Learning Zone, and the FA hope the next generation of fans will be inspired to join the England Supporters Club.

The England manager was joined by Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, England’s vice-captain, who also judged the children’s designs.  

“Being English, growing up in England, to represent your country, is an amazing feeling.” Cahill told Sky Sports News HQ. “There’s plenty of young talent coming through.

"We’ve been doing some coaching sessions recently and, at all ages and all levels, there’s a massive passion for the sport and England. You see the kids in English tops. It means a lot to them and a huge amount to players.”

FA chairman Greg Dyke says England can still win the World Cup in 2022 and Hodgson believes it remains a ‘realistic target’.

“I think it is, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be,” said Hodgson. "The way the FA is working now, a lot of good work is going on, including our academies. As long as players get a chance to play and make their mark, in the same way that Harry Kane has.

"If they can get that Premier League, Champions League, international experience, as they get a bit older, they will get stronger. I would like to think we have a good chance in that period of time.

"It’s a small margin. Tournament football is knockout football and even if you work well you can’t guarantee success. But if you work well you increase your chances of success."

nguon: skysports

Harry Kane: Spurs striker 'owes team-mates dinner' - Pochettino

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino joked that striker Harry Kane should buy his team-mates dinner after reaching 30 goals for the season.

Kane, 21, became the first Spurs player to reach the landmark since former striker Gary Lineker in 1991-92 after scoring in the 3-1 win over Newcastle.

Pochettino said: "Congratulations to him because he deserves this moment.

"I think he needs to pay for a dinner this week for his team-mates. The team work a lot and try to help him score."

Asked if Lineker's record was playing on his mind, Kane told BBC Sport: "Not really. After I got to 20 goals, I set myself a target of 30 and it felt like I was on 29 for ages.

"But now I've got here I'm delighted. Maybe I need to set myself another target from now to the end of the season [but] I will keep that quiet.

"It was a special occasion and to get the win makes it even more special."

nguon: bbc

Hugo Lloris ready to leave Tottenham to fulfil Champions League dream

 Hugo Lloris frustrated at failure to play at European elite level with Spurs
• Goalkeeper could be candidate to replace Manchester United’s David de Gea 
• Mauricio Pochettino: Harry Kane deserves PFA award

Hugo Lloris will consider his future at the end of the season if and more likely when Tottenham Hotspur do not qualify for the Champions League. The France goalkeeper signed a five-year contract last July but he has long made it plain to the club’s chairman, Daniel Levy, that he wants to play in the Champions League.

Tottenham even took Michel Vorm from Swansea City two weeks after Lloris had re-signed in a move that was seen as a shrewd contingency on Levy’s part in the event of Lloris pushing to join a Champions League club. Vorm, 31, was Holland’s third-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup in Brazil and cost £4.5m.

Lloris is frustrated and finds his career approaching a crossroads. He joined from Lyon in 2012 for an initial £8m and he hoped to play with Spurs in the Champions League. It has not happened and Lloris knows there is the strong possibility that it will not do so next season either. Tottenham trail fourth-placed Manchester City by seven points and have a hugely inferior goal difference, with five matches to play.

It is not lost on Lloris that virtually all of his France team-mates play at Champions League clubs and he is the captain of his country. Lloris played Champions League football in each of his four seasons at Lyon.

It is one thing to desire an elite club and another to get a transfer to one. The length of Lloris’s contract might not be an obstacle because Tottenham have found long-term deals have not always guaranteed they keep their players. Luka Modric agreed a six-year extension in 2010 and was a Real Madrid player after two and Gareth Bale signed for four extra years in 2012 and moved to Real the following summer.

Levy, though, is a notoriously difficult seller, routinely demanding high prices while Lloris knows the summer market for top goalkeepers is set to be complicated.

Paris Saint-Germain have shown an interest as they consider an upgrade on Salvatore Sirigu but, with the pressures of financial fair play regulations, it is unclear whether they would pay a hefty fee for a goalkeeper. PSG are also keen on Petr Cech, who is available from Chelsea and would be significantly cheaper than Lloris. Cech has a host of other suitors, including Arsenal.

Lloris’s preference would be to stay in the Premier League and the future of David de Gea at Manchester United could have an impact. De Gea is a target for Real Madrid; he has a year to run on his contract and has so far resisted United’s efforts to tie him to a new deal. If De Gea leaves, Lloris could be a contender to fill the vacancy.

Lloris will assess everything in the summer before an important season that concludes with the European Championship in France. He is not the impulsive type; he was expected to leave Lyon in the summer of 2011 only to stay for one more year while, at 28, he knows that time remains on his side. He also likes the Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino.

Lloris has not played since 21 March, when he was forced off in the 4-3 home win over Leicester City after a collision with his team-mate Kyle Walker in which he suffered a deep cut to his knee. Pochettino hopes to have him back for Saturday’s visit to Southampton.

nguon: theguardian