LLORIS OVERRATED

Chelsea's goalkeeping coach critical of Spurs and France keeper

PEOPLE who rate Hugo Lloris are ‘living in a dream world’, according to Chelsea’s French goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon.

He believes his compatriot is overrated and significantly inferior to Alphonse Areola, who kept a clean sheet for Les Bleus against Germany last Tuesday.

Lollichon said: “People live in a dream world when it comes to Lloris a bit too much, but for me Areola is above.

“Against Germany, he was positionally very good and in his ability to come out.

“It’s the basis of all goalkeepers, but not everyone does it well. He’s pro-active in his anticipation.”

The PSG stopper is highly-rated but Lloris led France to World Cup victory and, despite his huge error in the final, enjoyed a superb tournament.

The 31-year-old Spurs captain was in the running to claim the Golden Glove in Russia, an award Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois eventually won.

Lollichon, who works with Chelsea’s new £71million (RM385 million) keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, is adamant that Lloris doesn’t have the same level of ability as Areola.

“I didn’t wait until Thursday to discover Alphonse. For me, he’s the best current French goalkeeper. He has all the characteristics to be France’s No 1,” he added.

“The height, ability with ball in his feet, wingspan, his diving ability, footwork. He’s the most adapted to how they play.”

Lloris is struggling with a thigh injury that allowed Areola to take his place in the side for the stalemate against Germany and 2-1 win over Holland.

He faces a race against time to be fit for Tottenham’s huge Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday.