View: Josh Keeley could offer a long-term solution for Tottenham in goal
A major change is coming at Tottenham in between the sticks next season as long-term servant Hugo Lloris is replaced by Guglielmo Vicario.
It is certainly set to be a season of transition for Spurs next year with a brand new head coach, 57-year-old Ange Postecoglou, and a brand new shot-stopper after Lloris’ 11-year stay in North London.
The Frenchman has certainly looked a player in decline over the past few seasons and the 36-year-old might now finally be set to move on from the Premier League, having been left at home during the club’s pre-season tour.
Vicario has been signed to replace the World Cup winner and is certainly the current solution to Spurs’ recent goalkeeping troubles, however, the 26-year-old is still unproven in England and there is no guarantee he will be a success.
Whether or not the Italian hits the ground running, Postecoglou might have a long-term solution to the role of Spurs’ number one, should he be around long enough to oversee this particular youngster’s development.
Josh Keeley, unlike Lloris, has been included on the club’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia and is certainly making himself known, despite not getting any minutes on the pitch in either friendly so far.
A video posted to Spurs’ official Youtube channel (26 July) revealed that Keeley was on the winning side in training, as he played alongside Joe Rodon, Cristian Romero, Manor Solomon, Destiny Udogie, Oliver Skipp and Son Heung-Min.
Although this might not seem like much on the surface, his involvement will certainly provide him with a boost of confidence and Postecoglou will definitely have his eyes on all of the players in his squad during training sessions as he becomes familiar with the options at his disposal.
Despite travelling with the squad as they jet across the world, Keeley is yet to make his senior debut for the club with the 20-year-old a regular feature of the Under-21 side.
The Ireland Under-21 played 19 times in Premier League Two last season and if he sticks with the club long enough, could find himself progressing through the ranks and enjoying a big future with Tottenham in the Premier League.
A loan move might be exactly what he needs this season to take his game to the next level and his performances in training have suggested he is deserving of one.
In other Tottenham news, the club might have another exciting player to watch in youngster Oliver Irow.