Fernando Llorente’s deadline-day arrival at Spurs reportedly delighted Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, especially skipper Hugo Lloris who marveled at the surprise piece of business.
The 32 year old signed for Spurs for a fee believed to be lower than £15 million, despite being heavily linked with a move to London rivals and holding Premier League champions Chelsea.
Having won a World Cup, a European Championships and a Europa League as well as being two-time Italian title winner with European giants Juventus, Llorente adds some much needed experience into the youthful Spurs side.
Such was his excitement, upon hearing the news, French number 1 Hugo Lloris apparently texted Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino to ask if there was any truth in all the rumours.
“It’s amazing,” Pochettino himself told reporters. “Hugo Lloris was with the national team and sent a text to me, ‘gaffer, is it true about Llorente?’ I said ‘yes, we signed Llorente’.”
“He said: ‘Wow, fantastic player.’ That is the impact that he has on the changing room because all the players respect him.”
“Then they start to meet him, how he is, he is very warm, very friendly, it was fantastic. It’s a big impact for our changing room.”
Speaking about that trophy-winning experience, Poch insisted that the Spaniard can be a key ingredient to Spurs winning some silverware of their own this season.
“He will bring to the team and the squad great experience,” He added.
“When you saw him in training from day one it was like a 16 or 17-year-old going to train with the first team for the first time. That is massive because that energy is fantastic and a very good example for everyone.”
“He is a very good person and at Swansea last season he scored 15 goals, he can repeat the same with us. We really believe he can help us to achieve the things we want to achieve.
Pochettino has been known to favour younger talent, with a special regard for home-grown players, so the capture of Llorente perhaps resembles a more utilitarian approach from the Argentine gaffer.
Do you think Llorente will have that impact?
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