Why this rumoured Tottenham loan move makes no sense at all

2024/25 was a season boasting few domestic highs, and even one of our brightest nights proved to be no more than a mere false dawn.

Antonin Kinsky made his Tottenham bow just days after his arrival was confirmed at the start of the year from Slavia Prague. Premier League leaders Liverpool were the Czech goalkeeper's daunting first opponents just weeks after the Reds had put six past a hapless Fraser Forster in N17.

Little was known about our new goalkeeper, signed to supply short-term mitigation in Guglielmo Vicario's absence. However, it took just 90 minutes for Kinsky to convince supporters that he was the second coming of Christ. The young shot-stopper manifested a heart attack-inducing ease in possession that quickly endeared the home faithful, and was forced into action late in the day after Lucas Bergvall's controversial winner.

Kinsky didn't put a foot wrong on debut, as we edged the first leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final against Arne Slot's side. The following month, four unanswered Scouse strikes at Anfield represented another nadir in Ange Postecoglou's eventually glorious second season.

Kinsky was in net that night, too, with memories of his honeymoon debut dissipating in vividness. The 22-year-old would end 2024/25 with ten Spurs appearances in his back pocket, yet the arrival of a new manager sparked more hope for the talented No. 2, whom many expected would fiercely compete with Vicario for the starting role next season.

The Italian, however, looks set for an easier ride.

Tottenham should not be loaning out Antonin Kinsky

Reports out of France believe Spurs are currently negotiating a loan move with Lille for the 22-year-old shot-stopper.

The positive? Well, Paris Saint-Germain are after Lucas Chevalier, so Kinsky would be expected to become the French club's No. 1 should Chevalier move on. With Vicario the first-choice entering 2025/26, the guarantee of minutes for Kinsky at Lille would benefit the young goalkeeper's development.

However, I firmly believe Kinsky has the talent to quickly usurp Vicario at Spurs. The Czech goalkeeper may be less of a convincing shot-stopper than the Italian, but he's already proven himself to be better in several key areas than the former Empoli star. Kinsky's work in possession is comfortably superior, and his more imposing frame means he's far more assured when claiming the high ball. Vicario, as he displayed in the Europa League final, remains a bit of a flapper—to use the proper term.

Kinsky's ability as a passer should encourage Thomas Frank to keep him around, especially with a bucketload of fixtures on our agenda in 2025/26. Even if the 22-year-old doesn't emerge as the new manager's first-choice right away, Kinsky will get plenty of opportunities to impress next season. I don't think we're risking a potential stagnation of development if Vicario performs at a level which renders him undroppable.

If we do loan the Czech goalkeeper out, Brandon Austin will likely emerge as our No.2 unless we dip our toes into the transfer market ourselves. Austin may well have earned a promotion, but I'd still feel much more comfortable with Kinsky around.

The 22-year-old's presence on tour means a deal with Lille cannot be close to completion, and I very much hope Spurs decide to keep the talented maverick goalkeeper on their books for next season. He's one I've tipped to be a breakout star under Frank, not Bruno Genesio in northern France.