Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris has expressed his keenness in working with new Spurs boss Jose Mourinho and has claimed that the Portuguese manager’s appointment gives a great chance for the players and the club to land silverware.
Lloris has been out of action since October after injuring his elbow in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton. The Frenchman hasn’t featured under Mourinho so far, but the Tottenham head coach revealed recently that he expects the goalkeeper to be back to full fitness before the end of this month (Football.London).
In an interview to L’Equipe, Lloris has admitted that Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking was a difficult pill to swallow but claimed that the players are ready for a new chapter.
He said, “It is not nice to see someone you appreciate so much leave,’ said club captain Lloris of Pochettino.
“But you also know it is part of football. But it is not for the players to have a say in that. You must immediately be at the service of the new coach.”
The 33-year-old insisted that the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss had been bought in to win trophies, something Spurs haven’t managed since 2008.
Lloris added, “We crossed on the pitch during Premier League matches but this is the first time I have spoken to him in-depth.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“It is a chance for the players to work on a daily basis with one of the greatest coaches of the last 20 years,’ Lloris said.
“He has won everywhere. He has a precise mission for the one thing that has been missing – a trophy. We played some great football but we were without anything to show for our efforts.”
The former Lyon man also provided an update on his rehabilitation and revealed that it was only a matter of time before he is 100 per cent fit.
He said, “I am on the pitch with the other goalkeepers. I have started specific training and it feels good.
“I am training normally and I can dive on both sides in the same way. I have to work on my upper body strength for 30-45 minutes every day.
‘I have had time to prepare well in both my body and my head. I have worked on movement, on distance, on touching the ball. But it is necessary if I am going to be 100 per cent when I return.
“I have used the time to regenerate – and also to spend time with my family. That has refreshed me.
“I am able to extend my left arm and I am lacking only five or 10 degrees of flexion. And that will come back in time.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I am convinced that given time, Mourinho will mould us into an extremely solid outfit. While I am not sure it will be enough to see us compete with Liverpool and Manchester City any time soon, his track record shows that he wins trophies where ever he goes. I believe the players will now be much more confident going into semifinals and finals than they were under Pochettino.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
