Hugo Lloris insists he has no regrets about signing a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur, despite their struggles in the opening stages of the season.
The France international goalkeeper joined Spurs in the summer of 2012 for a fee of £8million, and he has gone on to establish himself as not just one of the best goalkeepers in England, but in European football. Indeed, he has been linked with a host of top clubs in recent times, including both Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid who do not have settled number one’s.
Lloris, though, gave the North London club a huge boost by signing a new contract in July, which is designed to keep him at White Hart Lane until 2019. And despite Tottenham’s problematic start to the new season – they have won just four of their opening 11 games and have already lost five times – the former Lyon star insists he has no regrets about committing his future.
In fact, the 27-year-old has jumped to the defence of head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was appointed to succeed Tim Sherwood at the end of last season. The goalkeeper has revealed he has full confidence in the Argentine and his coaching staff, and has hinted that perhaps the problem lies with chairman Daniel Levy for chopping and changing manager’s so freely.
“No, not at all, because I trust the coaching staff and the current coach,” he told L’Equipe when asked if he regrets signing a new deal. “But when it’s the third coach in a year and there are problems, the coach is not necessarily the problem. Nevertheless, we are working, trying to find answers. We have to get out of this. Being comfortable is not going to help us. That makes me sorry for the coach.”
Levy became Tottenham chairman in February 2001, and sacked then-manager George Graham for an alleged breach of contract in March of that year. Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini, Martin Jol, Juande Ramos, Harry Redknapp, Andre Villas-Boas and Sherwood have also been dismissed during his tenure, and fans are urging him to offer Pochettino time to get things right.
Meanwhile, whilst Lloris appears happy to remain at White Hart Lane, one player who is seeking an exit is Vlad Chiriches. The Romanian international signed for the capital club for a fee of around £7million in August 2013, but has made just 17 Premier League appearances and only two this season. The defender has been linked with a move to Italy, although he is unaware of any interest.
“I don’t know anything about the links but right now I can’t say that I am very happy at the club because I am not in the team,” the 25-year-old, who was linked with Internazionale before the Serie A giants decided to sack Walter Mazzarri and reappoint former Manchester City and Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini. “It’s hard for me but I think I can improve my game and I can play.”
