LLORIS CAN HELP SPURS LIFT TITLE, SAYS FRIEDEL
Friedel backs Lloris to inspire Spurs to Premier League title
LONDON: Brad Friedel believes Hugo Lloris can be Tottenham Hotspur’s Mr Cool as the title race heats up.
Captain Lloris led his side to a crucial 2-1 win at Manchester City on Sunday to close the gap on leaders Leicester to just two points.
And former Spurs goalkeeper Friedel reckons his old team-mate’s calm manner between the sticks sums up the mentality of Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Friedel said: “Hugo’s a humble, hard-working guy who doesn’t have too many emotional days.
“He has such a level head – even at the most nervous times he seems very calm.
“People can look to him and see how he’s acting and, as long as he’s calm, then everything’s fine.
“Spurs haven’t been in this situation in a long time. They have put themselves in a wonderful position where they do have an opportunity.
“I know Mauricio has the mentality for it and the dressing room has, too, but there’s no need to start talking about title challenges.
“They know they have the quality, they just need to quietly go about doing it.”
Lloris, 29, who also skippers France, made a vital intervention at the death in Sunday’s win, tipping the ball off the head of City’s Nicolas Otamendi.
Friedel, 44, said: “It was a crucial touch and a very brave one.
“Making a save like that in the dying seconds – it was a very big one and a very big three points.
“If you look at Hugo’s position at the near post, that’s a lot of ground to cover, knowing that you are probably going to have a collision.
“One of Hugo’s exceptional qualities is his speed.
“He’s very quick with his feet, which enables him to have very quick reactions with his hands.
“The world’s top goalkeepers excel in all attributes but they will usually have one where they set themselves above. That is where Hugo sets himself above – on his pace with his feet and his reaction time.”
Spurs travel to Fiorentina today in the first-leg of their Europa League last-32 clash, before hosting Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.
And Friedel insists Pochettino’s high-fliers can win three trophies.
“They have a fit enough and big enough squad to compete on three fronts.
“Mauricio worked hard last year to figure out which players were going to have the mentality for his style of football.
“I know he’s going to want to fight on all fronts. They have the mentality where their bodies and minds don’t get tired. I’m sure after the Man City game, Mauricio came in the dressing room and just acted like it was any other win.
“He’ll get the team sorted for training for the game on Thursday as normal – maybe even a bit harder to let them know, yes, it’s a big win but there are many more big wins needed around the corner.”
Spurs haven’t been in this situation in a long time. They have put themselves in a wonderful position where they do have an opportunity.
Brad Friedel