TOTTENHAM have been plunged into disarray with the news that club captain Hugo Lloris suffered a dislocated elbow in the defeat at Brighton. The French keeper has been released from hospital after a horror injury saw his elbow buckle out of shape after a fall in the 3-0 loss. A Spurs statement read: “Assessment will continue this coming […]
TOTTENHAM have been plunged into disarray with the news that club captain Hugo Lloris suffered a dislocated elbow in the defeat at Brighton.
The French keeper has been released from hospital after a horror injury saw his elbow buckle out of shape after a fall in the 3-0 loss.
A Spurs statement read: “Assessment will continue this coming week to ascertain the full extent of the injury and the length of time he will require to undergo rehabilitation.”
Lloris‘ left elbow twisted horribly when he spilt a cross for Neal Maupay to tuck home a third-minute opener.
Argentine stopper Paulo Gazzaniga came on for the 32-year-old, but Mauricio Pochettino will be forced to turn to academy starlet Alfie Whiteman should anything happen to his number two.
Tottenham have known they will have to replace Lloris soon, with the French International revealing that he will not be finishing his career in North London due to his desire to play in the MLS.
But the former Lyon star’s injury might force Poch to speed up his search for a new No1 and SunSport looks at five potential replacements…
The 20-year-old has been touted as one of the best goalkeepers in the world after breaking into the Milan and Italy team.
But Donnarumma has been struggling to impress in Serie A this season following AC’s poor start to the campaign, while a change of scenery might help him recapture his best form.
The Italy international’s contract expires at the end of next term and he has reportedly rejected a new £5.3million-a-year deal with the club.
Spurs would have to fend off interest from the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain to land Donnarumma, who is thought to be worth around £50million.
Pope was forced to miss virtually the entirety of last season, playing one Europa League qualifier and two FA Cup matches after dislocating his shoulder.
The 27-year-old was a target for Spurs before his injury after the Burnley stopper broke into the England squad for the World Cup in Russia.
He has since re-established himself as Sean Dyche’s No.1, who would hate to lose another keeper following Tom Heaton’s move to Aston Villa.
Pope only signed a new four-year deal at Turf Moor in May meaning Tottenham wouldn’t be able to get him on the cheap, but the Clarets still have Joe Hart waiting in the wings if they decide to cash in.
Mauricio Pochettino knows all about the Cameroon international after Spurs narrowly edged past Ajax in the Champions League semi-finals last season.
The 23-year-old originally came through the Barca academy, after he was spotted in the Samuel Eto’o Foundation, before his switch to Amsterdam.
Spurs were thought to be one of the clubs interested in his signature over the summer, but Ajax refused any offers following the sales of Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs De Ligt.
Onana remains under contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena until 2021 and SunSport revealed in June that a bid of around £40m could be enough to land him.
With the January transfer window not set to open for another two months, one person who will be looking to convince Spurs against buying a goalkeeper will be their No2.
Gazzaniga deputised for the injured Lloris on Saturday, with the Argentine originally brought in as cover for the Frenchman from Southampton in 2017.
He has had to wait patiently for his chance in the first-team, usurping Michel Vorm as the club’s back-up keeper following his penalty shootout heroics against Watford in the Carabao Cup last season.
Gazzaniga also impressed on his Champions League debut back in November, helping Spurs to a 2-1 home win over PSV and will now get every chance to prove his worth at the top level.
Should Gazzaniga prove to Poch that he should be the man between the sticks long-term, Spurs might just need to replace their No2.
Liverpool signed former Preston stopper Andy Lonergan on a short deal after an injury to their first-choice keeper Alisson.
And it may be the case that Spurs follow suit, with 21-year-old Alfie Whiteman yet to make a senior appearance for the club.
Michel Vorm is yet to find a new club after he was released by the North Londoners this summer but he still made four appearances for Poch last season.
The Dutch international, 35, spent five years at the club and could be open to returning temporarily on a short-term deal to ease the growing crisis at his former side.
