OVER LLORIS
Tottenham goalkeeper doubtful for Southampton game with illness
LONDON
Third-choice goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga produced an inspired performance on his debut in the game against Palace but Lloris’ back-up Michel Vorm is also fit to step in at St Mary’s Stadium.
Defender Toby Alderweireld is close to a return to the first team fold as he recovers from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for nearly three months.
The reliable Belgian international injured himself in Tottenham’s memorable 3-1 victory over Spanish side Real Madrid in the Champions League in November.
The defender has been out since November with a hamstring problem and Spurs are already targeting next week’s FA Cup fourth-round match with Newport County as a possible comeback date.
“I’m very pleased,” Pochettino said of the 28-year-old’s efforts to be fit for the latter half of the season. “We are going to have a very busy period and we need all the squad available to play.
“Maybe he will play in the FA Cup, we will have all the week and we will see if he is in good position to play.”
It is five years to the week since the Argentinian took over at St Mary’s in 2013, before leading Southampton for 18 months.
“It’s always special, I had an amazing time, one-and-a-half years, it was amazing for us and our families,” he recalled.
“Today five years ago was our LONDON: Chelsea are closing in on Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri, according to reports in Italy.
The Brazilian has recently returned to fitness after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury in May last year and has played only 16 minutes this season.
And he could be set for a move to the Premier League champions this month, according to both Sky Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 23-year-old could be available for £22 million (RM120 miillion) if Antonio Conte decides to make a move in the current transfer window. It was reported on Friday that the Blues are also considering Emerson’s Roma teammate Edin Dzeko. debut against Everton and we only knew one or two words of English.
“Southampton opened the door in England for us. That is so important for me, I’m so proud. I’ve had a few lessons, not too much.
“I was in the dark before personally talking Spanish, now knowing English it is amazing, I am looking at a different perspective.
“I’m so proud to be part of the history of Southampton, it means a lot. A lot of people love us and we love them.”
Spurs, who have 44 points from 23 games, are in the hunt for a Champions League place while Southampton are on a 10-game
Chelsea are desperate to bolster their forward line this month after their move for Andy Carroll fell through this week.
Meanwhile, Theo Walcott may have ended his 12-year Arsenal career carrying his personal belongings in bin bags, but the England international insisted he bore no ill will towards his old club after joining Premier League rivals Everton.
There was no time for the 28year-old to say his goodbyes to the Gunners following a move from London to Liverpool worth a reported £25 million on Wednesday.
“For whatever reason it didn’t happen this year and that’s why I’ve moved on,” said Walcott on no longer being a part of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s plans. winless run in the league.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has admitted the club missed out on signing their former youth star Theo Walcott, who joined Everton from Arsenal instead.
“That is part of the market,” he said. “The market has got offers and demands. I think we did everything to try to bring this player here but we have to accept that. It’s part of our job.
“We have got another option and we have to continue with our job. Sometimes we expect this and we have to be prepared for this because it’s part of the market.” Agencies
“I’ve known him (Wenger) since I was 16 and to bring in a young player and have belief in them I can’t thank him enough for that.
“With any player if you are not playing you are going to be upset but I’ve always had so much respect for the manager.
“As a personal footballing career decision I felt it was time now. It happened so quickly. There is no point in dwelling on the past.
“When I found I was coming here (Everton) I had to go there (Arsenal’s training ground) at night and pick up all my stuff in bin bags.
“I will at some point go back and say my proper goodbyes but we do play them very soon, which I am looking forward to.” Agencies