Paulo Gazzaniga finding his groove as Tottenham’s stand-in keeper
By Gary Pearson
Standing in nicely for Huglo Lloris, Tottenham’s Paulo Gazzaniga becomes more assured, confident and boisterous with each passing week.
Gazzaniga was arguably Tottenham’s man of the match against Wolves on Sunday. He made four stops, one of which saved his side’s bacon. The Argentinian flicked out a hand faster than it took Arsenal to boo stand-in boss Fredrik Ljungberg. The strength with which Gazzaniga palmed away Saiss’ flicked header was as impressive as his reaction to get down to it.
Gazzaniga also stepped up his communication, barking orders, holding teammates to account and motivating through his passionate delivery. It was the first time Spurs, without Gazzaniga’s heroics, would have been hooped.
Jose Mourinho had endless praise Gazzaniga, emphasizing how important his performance was. He referred to Gazzaniga’s match-saving parry as the “magic hand”.
Gazzaniga certainly looked like a first-choice keeper. While he isn’t nearly as skilled with his feet as Lloris, Gazzaniga knows it and plays to his strengths. There is never any nonsense in his play, particularly when his colleagues knock it back to him. More often than not, he either smacks it out first time or takes one touch and then knocks it long.
Lloris caused unnecessary heart palpitations by trying to be too cute too often. Everyone knows Lloris is incredibly handy with his feet, but at times he was his own worst enemy, often conceding possession and putting his side under amplified duress.
With Gazzaniga, we know what to expect. It’s taken him a while to come into his own, and I’m the first to admit he still has a long way to go. But he’s growing, progressing and developing as a professional. He doesn’t make as many mistakes as Lloris. However, he is still vulnerable to a blunder here and there.
Unfortunately for him, Lloris will be back sometime in the New Year. His recovery hasn’t gone according to plan but you’d expect him to be back playing by the end of January. That gives Gazzaniga another month to show his manager he deserves a chance at being the club’s permanent first choice keeper.
Another player transformed at Tottenham under Jose Mourinho. dark. Next
If he can perpetuate yesterday’s performance, he’ll deserve it. Though he won’t unseat Lloris unless the French keeper moves on to pastures anew, a distinct possibility.