Thursday, 13th December, 2012

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris admits it was not easy to warm the bench when he first arrived at Tottenham Hotspur, but thinks the challenge of winning the first team spot from veteran American Brad Friedel will help him as a player.

Spurs swooped to sign Lloris on transfer deadline day in the summer from French outfit Lyon. However, arriving in England as France’s number 1 goalkeeper and also having been rated as the best custodian in Ligue 1, it was assumed he would certainly be Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas’ first choice.



But the Portuguese initially stuck with Friedel and played Lloris in the Europa League. Hard work though and good performances saw the 25-year-old reverse the situation, with the Premier League now his oyster.

"It was not easy", Lloris admitted to French daily Le Parisien.

"This was not intended, that I did not play. It was a concern for the national team.

"Things should not happen like that.

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"I wasn’t given any explanations, instead there were discussions with the coach.

"But in the end, you must give your answers on the pitch and through that experience I will grow. It was a challenge.

"I took the playing time I was given and I went through it in order to reach a more favourable situation where I can continue to play the game."

The 25-year-old has featured in six Premier League games so far for Spurs and will be looking forward to getting many more under his belt for the remainder of the season.

Friedel’s future now looks less than clear and at 41 years old, the American may wish to head to another club for regular playing time.

Lloris is expected to once again have the starting role between the sticks when Spurs play Swansea on Sunday.

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