OPINION
It is indisputable that Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has endured a below par start to the season.
The France international has struggled with off the field issues and has been unable to produce his best form on the field of play.
It’s imperative, then, that he drops to the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, with back up Paulo Gazzaniga replacing him at Molineux.
The Argentine is somewhat of a polarising figure in North London, but even the harshest critic cannot say that he hasn’t shown improvement so far this campaign. The former Southampton man has been superb in relief of Lloris this term, and deserves a run of games moving forward.
At the very least, dropping Lloris will confirm to the Frenchman that he is no longer untouchable in between the Tottenham sticks.
The former Lyon man has been the undisputed number one ever since he joined the club, and has rarely had anything resembling competition for his place in the team.
Gazzaniga has shown that he is now at the level to provide Lloris with the fuel to get better. If the 31-year-old realises he is not a dead cert in the Spurs team perhaps his performance levels would go up.
That’s not to say that the World Cup winner should be dropped indefinitely, only that a short spell on the sidelines could be just the tonic for the struggling ‘keeper.
Wolves will certainly test Tottenham on Saturday, and there’s little to suggest that Lloris will be up to the task. Gazzaniga started in a decent effort against West Ham on Wednesday, and should keep his place moving forward.
It’s vital that Mauricio Pochettino’s side are successful against Nuno Espirito Santo’s well-drilled outfit, and Gazzaniga must be given the nod if they are to do that.