Hugo Lloris Happy with Tottenham Hotspur Debut and Determined to Prove Himself

Friday, 21st September, 2012

Hugo Lloris made his debut for Tottenham Hotspur last night in the club’s Europa League draw against Lazio and the France number 1 was pleased to have received the opportunity to play.

Having joined Spurs from Lyon on transfer deadline day, Lloris was expected to be the club’s number 1 at once, but manager Andre Villas-Boas was quick to stress that American goalkeeper Brad Friedel retains his spot between the sticks for now, something only reinforced by his excellent form of late.

relatedNewsStory And so Lloris has had to wait until the Europa League to be handed his opportunity, starting at White Hart Lane against Italians Lazio.

The match ended 0-0 too, meaning the 25-year-old starts his Tottenham career with a clean sheet.

"Obviously, when you arrive in another country you are expected to prove yourself", Lloris told beinSport after the match.

"I think I have status and I have to be very powerful when I have the opportunity to prove it", he added.

Lloris’ regular omission in favour of Friedel in the Premier League would cause raised eyebrows in France, but former Manchester United goalkeeper Fabian Barthez has backed his countryman.

Barthez has insisted that Lloris is one of the top five goalkeepers in world football and will soon knock Friedel off the number 1 spot.