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Tottenham: If Lloris is Out Should José Consider Gazzaniga

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Paulo Gazzaniga and Joe Hart of Tottenham Hotspur are all smiles ahead of the Pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Paulo Gazzaniga and Joe Hart of Tottenham Hotspur are all smiles ahead of the Pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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So far this season Joe Hart has served as the backup to Hugo Lloris at Tottenham; however, Lloris may be out and Hart is performing poorly should José consider Gazzaniga?

When Joe Hart was originally signed over the summer, it was thought to simply be a move to create more space with another ‘homegrown’ player. However, Joe Hart has replaced Paulo Gazzaniga as the number 2 keeper for Tottenham Hotspur. Now, with Hugo Lloris possibly out Sunday and a poor display from Hart midweek in Europe, should José Mourinho consider bringing in Paulo Gazzaniga from the cold?

The Case for Gazzaniga

Paulo Gazzaniga had been a little used back-up goalkeeper for the better part of two+ years for Tottenham Hotspur when the unthinkable happened last season and Hugo Lloris was lost to a long term injury. With his first chance to get meaningful minutes with the first team Paulo Gazzaniga showed promise at times, even earning a call-up to the Argentine National team.

However, Gazzaniga grew inconsistent as the season wore on and his minutes remained consistent. The worst moment of the season for Gazzaniga came in December at home against Chelsea as Paulo came charging off his line and clambered Marcos Alonzo just before the half. The subsequent VAR review, yellow card, and penalty kick gave Chelsea a 0-2 lead they would not relinquish.

The mistake was an example of some of the overall awareness Gazzaniga lacks on the pitch. Much of that comes from a lack of gameday experience, but some of it is just natural as well. Paulo Gazzaniga is an excellent shot stopper but is inconsistent in his control of the box and ability to claim balls. This weakness, along with the decision making is what led to Hart being signed in the first place.

That said, Gazzaniga was sound for Tottenham overall last season, having a better goal against average than Hugo Lloris surrendering 33 goals in 25 games (1.32/per) compared to Lloris giving n 37 goals in 27 games (1.37/per). Lloris did have more shutouts with six compared to Gazzaniga’s five and following his return from injury, it was obvious who the better keeper was. That said, Gazzaniga, did well considering everything happening at the club and the porous defense in front of him.

The Case for Joe Hart

Joe Hart possesses all the things that Paulo Gazzaniga does not, primarily experience and composure. As a 33-year-old former England National Team starter, Hart has played in more than 540 senior level matches and has seen it all. The experience and focus Hart brings to the team is obvious even when he is not on the pitch.

However, Hart did have a couple of howlers on Thursday in Austria. What had started as a good first half for Joe Hart, making a couple saves and a punch, turned ugly with the long-range goal late in the first 45. Hart seemed to have the ball covered, but it dipped at just the wrong time for the keeper and bounced just under his arm and beyond the keeper into the goal.

Giving up long range goals has been a problem for Spurs this season, that and free kicks. With the bend on the different balls, sometimes it just happens. However, the second goal Hart gave up was a bit different story. The ball hit Hart on the bicep and then continued through him into the goal. Hart was either fooled or unprepared and neither is a good thing for a keeper.

Anytime a keeper gets a hand, let alone an arm on the ball, they expect to keep it out of the net and that was not the case here. Again, Hart had some decent early saves and still did well overall commanding the box and claiming balls, but you can cut out crosses all day, if you cannot stop shots, we have a problem. That said, Hart has played well at times this season including a couple of shutouts. All this leaves Mourinho will a potential decision.

What José and Tottenham Will Do?

Ultimately, the rumors or whispers of Hugo Lloris missing the game on Sunday are just that rumors and whispers. There is no evidence, anywhere that we have found, indicating that Lloris will miss the match. That said, if the worst occurs and Spurs skipper is out, José Mourinho has some decisions to make.

Having seen the way under par goalkeeping has negatively impacted Chelsea and Arsenal in the last few seasons, one could understand José’s hesitance in starting Hart again. Arsenal is on a whole different level than LASK and if Hart struggled with some of those shots, Aubameyang and company are likely getting kind of excited.

If Lloris is out, Gazzaniga will make his first appearance of the season and Hart keeps his spot on the bench, only IF Lloris is out. Assuming the skipper plays – which we believe will happen – Gazzaniga will continue to be not in the squad as he has been all season. It is one thing for Hart to start, another to be the back-up, which we think is the case regardless of who starts for Spurs Sunday.