View: Hugo Lloris’ three biggest Tottenham saves as player confirms desire to leave
Hugo Lloris has now confirmed he wishes to leave Tottenham after eleven years with the club in an interview with Nice Matin.
It has been widely reported that the former French international would leave the club this summer, however, he has now confirmed the desire to move on himself in an exclusive interview.
“We are coming to an important moment, whether for the club or for me. It’s the end of an era,” Lloris said.
“I have desires for other things, I will ask myself quietly to study what will be possible. But I don’t forget that I still have a year of contract with Tottenham and that in football it is always difficult to predict what will happen.
Ahead of the 36-year-old’s likely departure, Tottenham News has had a look back at the goalkeeper’s three biggest saves during his eleven-year spell in North London.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Spurs 1-1 Arsenal, 2 March 2019)
Two of Lloris’ three biggest saves for Tottenham are from the spot. The first of which came in 2019 under the Wembley arch.
In the dying moments of the game, Aubameyang had the chance to win the North-London derby with a penalty kick. The Gabonese striker stepped up, drove it hard and low to Lloris’ right but the Spurs captain was equal to it.
The jubilant scenes of players swarming Lloris moments after the save demonstrated just how crucial the stop was. Tottenham eventually pipped their rivals Arsenal to fourth place by one point that season. How different it could have been if Aubameyang had converted.
Sergio Aguero (Spurs 1-0 Manchester City, 9 April 2019)
Another penalty save. This time, to Lloris’s left-hand side.
It was the first-ever Champions League fixture at Tottenham’s brand-new stadium. Under the lights, a quarter-final fixture against Manchester City and Lloris’ penalty save almost took the roof off just weeks after it had been put up.
Tottenham went on to win that match 1-0 and qualify for the Champions League final that season, and it is not hard to believe they may not have got there if not for the save from the spot.
Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Spurs, 18 October 2016)
This save might not have been the most important, but it was certainly the best of his Tottenham career. During a Champions League group-stage clash against Bayer Leverkusen, he made a world-class save to keep the score level.
It was a save that defied physics. As Hernandez appeared to have an empty net to tap into Lloris was able to come across and show lightning reactions to get down quickly and stop the ball on the line with one hand.
Time to say goodbye
Lloris has given the club the best years of his career, and will always be remembered as a legend even beyond the saves described. However, it is now time to say goodbye, and wish Lloris the best in his future.
In other Tottenham news, does another French Tottenham star deserve a second chance?