LIVES RUN OUT FOR THE CATS
compete and play games. He played in the summer with his international team but he needs time to get back in terms of rhythm and intensity.
“Mousa is important to us and will add his quality to the team.
“He is strong and has a lot of ability and the capacity to keep the ball at his feet.”
Lloris was quick to point out that Spurs have the depth in their squad to eliminate over-reliance on one individual.
“For me, football is not only about one player,” said Lloris.
“It is about the team and the players around him.”
And among the new faces on show at White Hart Lane today could be Moussa Sissoko, a £30million signing from Newcastle during the summer window.
Spurs won the tug-of-war with Everton for the Frenchman and he is set for his full debut after substitute appearances against Stoke and Monaco.
Lloris still believes Spurs can make an impact in the Champions League despite the initial defeat.
He pointed to the victories by Manchester City and Leicester on the same night – and the draw Arsenal secured in France against PSG on the Tuesday – as evidence that the Premier League representatives are capable of mixing it with the top teams on the continent. “We know that we have great potential,” said Lloris. “It is a good opportunity for us to play in the Champions League and show in Europe that Tottenham are growing up and going in the right direction.
“Unfortunately against Monaco the result was frustrating as we lost and it was a pity the way we lost. But we need to forget about it.
“We know it is very difficult to compete in the Premier League – and I am fed up hearing that Premier League clubs don’t do well in Europe. We want to change that.”