Brad Friedel, Carlo Cudicini and Heurelho Gomes to Leave Tottenham?

Could Brad Friedel be leaving Tottenham? [Photo: ringo204’s]

Now that Hugo Lloris has established himself as Tottenham’s first choice goalkeeper, the three experiences players, Brad Friedel, Carlo Cudicini and Heurelho Gomes could be set to leave Spurs during the January transfer window. Newspaper reports today, suggest that other clubs are showing an interest in signing the experienced keepers and that the three players are interested in leaving White Hart Lane.

Tottenham have a wealth of experienced goalkeeping talent on their books, all of whom could step into any team in the Premier League. The signing of Lloris from Lyon in August was with a view to the future with Friedel (41) and Cudicini (39) nearing the age for retirement. Gomes (31) has fallen out of favour but is still young enough to regenerate his career but that is unlikely to be at White Hart Lane.

Brad Friedel

Friedel brought a stability to Tottenham’s defence last season when he was ever-present. The arrival of Lloris wasn’t a comment on his performances this season and in fact the French captain’s signing brought about a two way tussle for the goalkeeper’s jersey. Friedel extended his run of consecutive Premier League appearances to 310 until Lloris replaced him against Aston Villa in October. He reclaimed his position but Lloris was selected for the north London derby and has held his place ever since. Friedel is now the accepted second choice goalkeeper with Europa League and Cup appearances ahead of him with Spurs.

At his age, Friedel is not wanting to sit on the bench. Knowing that his playing days are drawing to a conclusion the American wants to play as often as possible so an offer from his former club, Blackburn Rovers could prove attractive. When Friedel lost his place in the Tottenham team, the new Blackburn manager Henning Berg expressed an interest in signing his former colleague as a player but with a coaching role as well. Looking to the future that could be appealing to Friedel.

Carlo Cudicini

Cudicini has been a loyal and reliable reserve at Tottenham since joining from Chelsea in January, 2009. He has only made 37 appearances for Spurs, with many in the Cup and Europa League but has never let the team or the manager down. This was particularly true in last season’s Europa League games when Harry Redknapp selected very inexperienced teams but Cudicini played his part producing a number of outstanding saves as the team did better than expected in those games.

Cudicini has only played once this season in the Capital One Cup at Carlisle and is now third choice goalkeeper at Spurs. It is rumoured that LA Galaxy, where Robbie Keane is already a player, are interested in signing the experienced goalkeeper. Cudicini is said to be open to such a move.

Heurelho Gomes

Heurelho Gomes – Go or Stay?

Heurelho Gomes has not played since the home Europa League game against Rubin Kazan in October, 2011. He kept a clean sheet for the young side as he had done in his only other appearances last season – the away game in August against Hearts and the Carling Cup match at Stoke. He fell out of favour with Redknapp at the end of the previous season after a serious of mistakes cost Spurs dearly as their league form slumped and the attempt to make the Champions League ended in failure. Gomes is a goalkeeper whose form is based very much on confidence. He can make tremendous saves but also basic errors, even in the same game. When his confidence is low his uncertainty gets passed on bringing a nervousness to the defence. It was this that led to him being omitted at the end of season 2010-11. He has never regained his place in the team and it had been thought that he would leave during previous transfer periods. Injury has prevented that happening but he may depart this time with Brazilian clubs reporting an interest. The obstacles to any such transfer are Gomes’ wages and the transfer fee Tottenham would be expecting.

Would All Three Goalkeepers leave?

It would appear unlikely that all three senior goalkeepers would leave. Lloris would then be the only experienced goalkeeper at the club, leaving Spurs vulnerable if an injury were to befall the Frenchman. Spurs have a number of talented young goalkeepers but I doubt that any would be considered to be ready to step up to the backup role behind Lloris.

• Brad Friedel could probably leave as he is wanting regular football and has maintained the high standards and consistency that he has produced throughout his career.
•  If Carlo Cudicini is wanting the opportunity to play in America, the offer from LA Galaxy would be difficult to turn down.
• If Friedel and Cudicini were to be transferred, could Gomes become the reserve to Lloris as his transfer could be the most difficult to finalise?