Pundit issues ‘huge’ Hugo Lloris claim after early Tottenham news pre-Arsenal
Noel Whelan has claimed Tottenham losing Hugo Lloris for Saturday’s (1 October) derby against Arsenal would be “like losing Harry Kane”.
The former Leeds striker was speaking exclusively to Football Insider amid doubts about the 35-year-old’s fitness ahead of the table-topping clash.
As per Sky Sports (19 September), Lloris was forced to withdraw from the France squad for games against Austria and Denmark after a thigh injury was detected.
The club captain had started each of Spurs’ seven Premier League games this term with his side sitting third in the top flight.
Summer signing Fraser Forster is the likely replacement for Lloris if he cannot overcome the problem for Saturday’s match.
As per FBref, the 2018 World Cup winner has recorded the fourth-best save percentage in the Premier League this term – behind Neto, Nick Pope, and Jordan Pickford.
Whelan insisted manager Antonio Conte will be “hoping and praying” for Lloris’ return against Arsenal.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’d be a huge blow.
“He’s captain by rights at the football club and he’s a very experienced, mature professional.
“He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world – so to lose someone like that with that knowledge, especially during a derby, it’s like losing Harry Kane.
“It’s part of that spine you don’t want to lose, and Conte will be hoping and praying he can come through this problem.
“It’d be a huge miss.”
Lloris signed a fresh contract extension in January which will keep him at the club until 2024.
The former Lyon man has made 425 appearances for the club to date after signing in 2012.
In other news, Tottenham expert claim Daniel Levy has “woken up to nightmare” after Antonio Conte latest.