• Premier League

Lloris: I'll prove my status at Tottenham

ESPN staff
September 13, 2012
Hugo Lloris must battle with Brad Friedel for the No. 1 jersey at Tottenham © Getty Images
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Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has vowed to prove himself as the best goalkeeper at White Hart Lane, reminding his new club that he arrives not only as one of the highest rated keepers in Europe but also as France's captain.

Lloris has endured a surprisingly rocky start to his Tottenham career following a deadline day move from Lyon. Despite costing the club in the region of £12 million, Lloris arrived to instantly hear manager Andre Villas-Boas telling the media that Brad Friedel remains his first-choice shot-stopper.

It was quickly revealed by France coach Didier Deschamps that Lloris was not happy with Villas-Boas' comments, and it is reported that the two parties have since held talks. Now Lloris, who saved a penalty for France midweek, wants to oust Friedel from his starter's jersey.

"Today, I have a status - I have the France captain's armband. It is a mark of trust and respect," Lloris said in the Daily Mirror.

"There are a lot of things for me to prove over there. I am going to strive for success.

"I am going to discover another world, another championship and another mentality. I am going to get to know my new team-mates and staff, and I am going to work as well as I can."

A new era dawned for Tottenham this week after Villas-Boas staged his first training session at the club's purpose-built £45m training base in Enfield, North London. Tottenham had been based at their Spurs Lodge training ground, but have now moved to a state-of-the-art home away from home, which will feature 11 pristine football pitches, with under soil heating installed to ensure adverse weather will not affect first-team sessions.

The impressive two-story complex features a swimming pool, fitness centre/gym, changing rooms, a canteen and media centre and will be situated in a road named Hotspur Way.

"If we are competing with other clubs for a very well-known player and he comes and looks at this facility and it is miles ahead of anybody else, then hopefully it will give us an edge," said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

"Any club with aspirations needs a world-class training centre in order to be able to attract and train top quality players. The club has worked extremely closely with Enfield Council and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, and I should like to thank them for their help in making this vision a reality."

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