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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Tottenham Future Will Be Built Around Hugo Lloris

By Alexander Balano

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Tottenham Hotspur Links has returned to three stories.

After yesterday’s Tottenham Hotspur Links had two links to read, today will be returning to the standard three stories format. To start things off, Mauricio Pochettino has said that Tottenham’s future will be built around Hugo Lloris.

The next story sees a familiar name pop up ahead of the January winter transfer window — Adrien Rabiot who wants to go out on loan this time instead of a full transfer. Lastly, Hugo Lloris has urged Tottenham to go back to their winning ways after two consecutive draws. These are the links below.

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There are many ways to construct a football team: build around a world class striker, a classic number 10, a box-to-box midfielder, a technically gifted winger, the heart and soul of the team’s backline or a world class goalkeeper.

This past summer, Mauricio Pochettino knew where his team’s obvious weakness was following the 2014-15 Premier League campaign, and that was the defense. Tottenham had given up 53 league goals, which was considered tied fifth for the worst goals against statistic, for a club that finished in fifth place. To put that in perspective, the six other clubs who conceded the same or more than Tottenham featured two relegated clubs: (Burnley and Queens Park Rangers).

Now that the defense is solidified with Danny Rose, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Kyle Walker, Pochettino wants to continue improving upon that by building around Hugo Lloris. Meaning, continue to focus on the depth at all 11 positions even if everything is set when it comes to starters.

“There are always rumours about the players but we want to keep him [Hugo Lloris] for the future, not only for the present. We want to build the next squad and the future with him. He is very happy with us.”

  • Adrien Rabiot wants a loan move away from PSG in January
    • [via Matt Spiro’s Twitter account]

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Since October 17 Adrien Rabiot has been a regular starter in Laurent Blanc’s lineup in Ligue 1. Of course on November 3rd, during Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Adrien Rabiot has been guaranteed more playing time because of Marco Verratti’s ankle injury who had to be taken off in the 17th minute.

The fact that Adrien Rabiot wants to go out on loan after making eight consecutive appearances (seven of which were starts) in Ligue 1 and 14 appearances in all competitions this season is surprising to say the least. At the same time though, feeling insecure about his place in Laurent Blanc’s isn’t surprising. Once Marco Verratti is fully fit, there’s no reason why Verratti wouldn’t be handed his starting spot back.

Whether Mauricio Pochettino is still interested in the French central midfielder is another topic to debate. But as it stands, Rabiot would be nothing more than depth and a spot starter who will be fighting for playing time alongside Dele Alli, Mousa Dembélé and Ryan Mason.

Going unbeaten in 14 consecutive games is a great statistic this season and in Tottenham’s club history. But Spurs were only able to come away with two draws in their last two games. Against Chelsea, they should have won. This time, against West Brom, Tottenham should have lost but fought to maintain a draw.

In Spurs’ last five league games, they’ve accumulated two wins and three draws: nine points. It could be argued that draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and West Brom should have been wins. But again, Tottenham didn’t lose, so a draw is still a positive result.

In any event, the onus is on Mauricio Pochettino and the players to have a great gameplan against a Newcastle United team that beat Liverpool 2-0 at St. James’ Park this afternoon (Monday, December 6).

Next: Tottenham's All-time Starting XI

Hugo Lloris is ready for next Sunday’s matchup at White Hart Lane against 18th placed Newcastle and hopes that a win can still keep Spurs in contention for a top-four finish.

“To get the benefit of this game and the last game (a 0-0 draw with Chelsea) we need to get three points against Newcastle,” the France international told Spurs TV.

“It was a tough game in really bad conditions. Sometimes you need to keep fighting during the game and try to do your best to not lose.”

The spirit is still great. Probably that kind of game in the past we could have lost it. Everyone is ready to do their best for the team.”