Lloris injury could have an impact on the Champions League

"_MG_2827" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by xavnal

Hugo Lloris was substituted in the first half of the opening Premier League game against Everton with a hamstring injury, and could miss Tottenham Hotspur’s first Champions League match in four weeks’ time. The French goalkeeper who was so pivotal to the Lilywhites’ excellent campaign last season will be sorely missed, and his absence could affect the whole team.

Spurs need to have a strong start and a kind draw if they are to have any hope of progressing in their return to Europe’s elite competition. Even before the groups have been named, the London outfit are at 50/1 in the Champions League betting to win, behind their North London rivals, Arsenal, who are at 25/1. With the odds stacked against them, Mauricio Pochettino and his side need a bit of luck, which they aren’t getting.

The loss of their vastly experienced shot-stopper is a crushing blow and, although it looks as though Lloris will only be out for four weeks, there could be repercussions.

Spurs urgently need to gain some momentum before they play their first tie in Europe, and to do this it is imperative that the same players that flourished last season play together and recapture that form. Part of the reason for Spurs’ success last season was the fact that they were a tight-knit team with a winning mentality. When key players are out it affects the whole squad.

It is already clear how much Mousa Dembele’s influence at White Hart Lane is missed, as the stats show. In the last 12 games that the Belgian has been absent, Harry Kane has only scored 1 goal, and in the contest at Goodison Park, the England international failed to register a single shot. It would be desperately unfortunate if Lloris being side-lined had the same knock-on effect on the defence.

"Harry Kane" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by enviro warrior

Last season in the league, the Euro 2016 finalist kept a whopping 13 clean sheets as Spurs had one of the best defensive records in England’s top flight. The Spurs captain started every match apart from the opening game against Manchester United, and averaged 1.84 saves per game according to Squawka.

Although there is no denying what a shrewd acquisition Toby Alderweireld was in bolstering the defence, having the experience of Lloris between the posts surely has a calming influence on the back line. Pochettino needs Michel Vorm to step up to the challenge and fill the big man’s shoes, but does the 32-year-old still have what it takes to be the main man?

Other news that could have a drastic influence on Spurs’ performances this season concerns Christian Eriksen. There is speculation that he may be tempted by a move to Juventus, as Spurs are unwilling to succumb to the Dane’s massive wage demands. Losing the 24-year-old could be disastrous for the club’s ambitions this season and in the years ahead. There is no doubt that the man who pitched in with 16 assists in 2015/16 is crucial to the team.

Lloris’s injury is certainly a cruel setback at this time, but Spurs aren’t necessarily doomed just yet. Pochettino must adapt and show why he is regarded as one of the best managers in the league, by getting his side off to a good start without their captain.

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