The curious case of Brad Friedel
Bench Warmer: Frenchman Hugo Lloris is finding it difficult to get into Spurs’ first XI.
On deadline day this August, Tottenham Hotspur purchased France international and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for £10 million or so. It was a big and an ambitious move which signalled Tottenham’s intent to bring top talent to the club.
Still only 25, the signing of Lloris provided Tottenham with a solid ’keeper for years to come, decades even, considering how ’keepers are known to have generally longer careers than other outfield players.
And Tottenham should know this better than anyone. Having signed Lloris for that amount, you would expect such a high profile purchase to automatically be in the starting line up. But no one had predicted the form of ageing American custodian Bradley Friedel.
Friedel has always been regarded as one of the better goalkeepers in England. But everyone has been surprised by the 41-year-old’s form this season. His performances truly betray his age and the American has now given AVB a real headache.
The American has been a consistent performer throughout his career. He holds the record for the most number of consecutive Premier League appearances for any player (310). This streak in fact, was broken in October when AVB chose to start with Lloris in a game against Friedel’s former employers, Aston Villa.
That was, however, Lloris’ only League appearance so far. And even though he kept a clean sheet in that game, the Frenchman has only played in the Europa Le-ague since then.
Lloris is undoubtedly Tottenham’s ’keeper for the future. What will be interesting to see, will be how far away that future is. Spurs could go on with Friedel, seeing as how his performances really do merit starting. Or they could choose to offload him in January, and install the new No.1 into the team.
Either way, this season is likely to be Friedel’s last as Tottenham’s first choice. But then again, the way he performs, Lloris may just be made to wait even longer.
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