Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has spoken out about his ‘champion’ goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ahead of Sunday’s reunion with World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez.
Loris will return to the Spurs starting line-up this weekend against Aston Villa after being on the bench in the Boxing Day draw against Brentford.
French captain Lloris will face a familiar foe named fellow goalkeeper Martinez, who starred in a penalty shootout to help Argentina become world champions in Qatar, but has been criticized for his antics after the final. criticized for
“I think you’re wasting your time talking about Hugo because his career speaks for itself. We’re talking about one of the best keepers in the world over the last decade. It’s about top keepers and top men. I think he will continue to play for many years,” said Conte.
“We are talking about a champion in his role. His career speaks very clearly. He won the World Cup, but he was always the star of the national team.
“For Tottenham, I don’t know how many years he’s been playing for Tottenham, but he’s a guarantee for us.”
Conte expects Martínez to start Sunday’s game but warned he could not yet be in the same league as the World Cup winner Lloris, who led France to a successful run in 2018. .
“Martinez is younger than Hugo. He played really well in the World Cup and made important saves.
“Don’t forget he made a great save in the 119th minute in the final, otherwise we’re talking about the World Cup in France, not Argentina. He’s a player who can continue to improve. But you are talking about really good goalkeepers.
“Martinez, at this moment, first and foremost, he was the protagonist of winning the World Cup and the most important trophy in the world.
“And yes, he’s had a long career, he’s the best keeper in the world, one of the best keepers in the world, but again, like Cutie (Christian Romero), things are tough right now. It’s starting
“Now you’re high, but you need to stay high, maybe improve, and show that it wasn’t a one-time situation.
“Important players build important careers after their wins and start with this win, win, win and improve their level.”
I asked him to come back early so that he could be with us for the match against Brentford.
Antonio Conte as Hugo Lloris
Loris had to quickly recover from a heartbreak in Qatar after being called up as a substitute at Brentford just eight days after the final on 18 December.
“Obviously, losing in a World Cup final doesn’t feel very good,” Conte admitted.
“But it’s really nice to see Hugo put his disappointment aside and come back in great form.
“I see him fully involved with us from the first day.
“I asked him to come back early and stay with us for the game against Brentford. He was on the bench, but his appearance is very important to the dressing room of the whole Tottenham environment. Now he is ready.”