Tottenham Player Review: Hugo Lloris

It seems more than appropriate to start with Tottenham club captain Hugo Lloris, who once again proved himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.

One could point to Tottenham’s 12 clean sheets as proof of Lloris’ achievements this season, but that isn’t the best metric to gauge his influence.

The truth of the matter is that Tottenham’s sterling defense rarely lets Lloris shine. Gone are the days when Spurs’ porous backline regularly allowed Lloris chances to show off his impressive acrobatics. He can still pull those kinds of saves off, of course, but it is no longer the core of his game.

On the pitch, Lloris’ biggest contribution comes from his ability and desire to chase down runners who somehow leak through Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. A less elegant keeper might regularly find himself chipped or, worse, regularly on the bad end of a foul call in the penalty area.

Lloris’ timing and quickness of foot essentially make him an auxiliary member of the defensive backline, thereby allowing the outfield proper to push up without fear of leaving Lloris exposed. He can take care of himself.

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Such trust is invaluable and makes Lloris the ideal retainer of the captain’s armband. In many ways though, he earns that honor off the pitch as much as on it.

History will remember Lloris as the first hint that they was something special happening at Tottenham. He signed in 2012 in the midst of the club’s post-Harry Redknapp growing pains. In the subsequent seasons of turnover and just barely not qualifying for the Champions League, the Frenchman was given plenty of reasons to quit.

Yet he stayed on, even as Luka Modric and Gareth Bale looked for greener pastures. He earned the trust of Andre Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood and finally Mauricio Pochettino — and of course his teammates as well.

Last summer, if reports can be believed, he had doubts. After a late season collapse that first stripped Tottenham of a title chance then saw them finish below Arsenal yet again, Lloris demanded assurances that the club would improve. He wanted to know that the club would continue to invest in talent and push for a title in 2016/17 and beyond.

Pochettino, desperate to keep hold of his star keeper, convinced Lloris to stay on. He would go on to sign a new contract in December of 2016 that would keep him at the club for another four years.

Next: How Spurs improved this season

At 30, Lloris the oldest and longest serving (along with Vertonghen) member of an exceptionally young Spurs starting XI. His influence is reflected in his captain status, but one can also see it in the flurry of other new contracts signed by key players before and after Lloris himself committed to the club. It’s not a stretch to imagine that his word and his actions reverberate around a squad that recognize him as one of the greats in the modern game.

For all these reasons and more, Lloris is Tottenham personified. Even neutrals can agree that he deserves to lift a trophy with the club, and soon.