• Premier League

Deschamps: Lloris didn't like Villas-Boas comments

ESPN staff
September 4, 2012
Hugo Lloris cut emotional ties with Lyon to join Tottenham © PA Photos
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France coach Didier Deschamps has said he would have to think about Hugo Lloris' international place if he fails to play regularly for Tottenham, and he revealed the keeper did not like Andre Villas-Boas' recent quotes about Brad Friedel being his No. 1.

Lloris, 25, joined the Londoners on transfer deadline day for almost £8 million but faces a battle to oust 41-year-old first choice Friedel, who produced an outstanding performance in Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Norwich at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

He is also in competition with Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini, and Spurs manager Villas-Boas warned that a big transfer fee was no guarantee of a first-team place. "When you transfer, it's not written in the contract that you have to play," he said. "At the moment, Brad is doing extremely well. He deserves to be playing, and he'll continue to do so."

Deschamps said he was taken aback by the comments, saying: "I saw what Villas-Boas said. "These statements surprised me.

"If I comment, it will make an echo on the other side of the Channel. I'm not going to create a problem that I don't have today. I have other problems to solve but, if it happens, it deserves consideration.

"I do not want Hugo put in this situation. He did not appreciate the statements.

"You all know the value of Hugo. He is focused on these two games [for France] and I hope that after it will go well for him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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