‘Hugo Lloris is a liability for Tottenham – Burnley have three better goalkeepers,’ says Tony Cascarino on talkSPORT
Former Chelsea striker says Spurs will never win top titles with the French World Cup winner in goal
Tottenham need to ditch ‘liability’ Hugo Lloris as their number one goalkeeper if they want to get to the next level, according to talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino.
The Frenchman is facing heavy criticism for his performance in Spurs’ 4-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
It was the goalkeeper’s mistake – needlessly rushing out of his goal – which allowed Philippe Coutinho to open the scoring at Wembley inside two minutes, with manager Mauricio Pochettino admitting the early strike ‘destroyed’ his game plan to stop the Spanish champions.
It appears supporters are no longer fully convinced of their club captain’s ability after the latest in a series of mistakes by the 31-year-old.
Lloris captained France to World Cup glory in the summer, but even in the final he was guilty of a howler which threatened to spark a late Croatia comeback.
Fortunately for him, the game was already all-but over when his clumsy footwork allowed Mario Mandzukic to pull one back, and he lifted the trophy after a 4-2 win.
A world champion he may be, but Cascarino is not convinced by the error-prone Frenchman and believes Spurs will struggle to win any top titles with Lloris between the sticks.
“Hugo Lloris is Tottenham’s club captain and he’s won the World Cup, but I don’t actually think he’s that good,” the former Chelsea striker told talkSPORT host Jim White.
“He’s a great shot-stopper, he’s always had that ability, but I’ve never felt he’s been that commanding. He’s lightweight, he’s not very good with the ball at his feet and he makes rash decisions, he comes tearing out of his 18 yard box.
“I’ve never felt he’s going to be a goalkeeper that leads Tottenham close to a title.
“He’s a bit of a liability at times for Spurs and it’s cost them in some big games.
“He has these brainstorms in his game every now and again.”
Cascarino believes Tottenham should take a leaf out of Liverpool’s book, and sign a new, more reliable number one at the soonest opportunity.
And he suggests Burnley have three top class goalkeepers to pick from, if Spurs are looking for a replacement.
“I look at it in the same way as the problem Liverpool had with Simon Mignolet,” the ex-Republic of Ireland international added.
“They made a massive decision to go and get Alisson, because the manager knew they had to reach another level.
“I look at Lloris and I just think there are better goalkeepers out there who could be the number one for Spurs, and I think that will be the next thing Pochettino will do.
“I’d argue that Burnley have got three goalkeepers who are every bit as good, if not better, than Hugo Lloris.”
