Mourinho set to create new goalkeeper dynamic for 2020/21 season

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It could be a three-way tussle for the number-one goalkeeper jersey at Tottenham next season if boss Jose Mourinho has his way. Former Manchester City stopper Joe Hart has completed a free transfer switch to North London ahead of the new 2020/21 campaign, agreeing with a two-year contract with Spurs.

Although veteran Frenchman Hugo Lloris has been the club’s undisputed number-one for eight seasons now, Mourinho is seeking to keep the Frenchman on his toes by providing an additional challenge to Paulo Gazzaniga. With both Hart and Gazzaniga waiting in the wings and pushing Lloris in training, this appears to be a good strategic move by Mourinho to help refocus the 33-year-old skipper who was somewhat off the boil early last season. Hugo did run Harry Kane very close for Spurs Odyssey's Player of the Season vote in the end.

A goalkeeper department to rival the ‘big four’

At the present time, Spurs find themselves fifth favourites to secure a top-four finish in 2020/21, available at a best price of 100/30 with Betway, who is one of the best for new customer sign-up offers ahead of the coming EPL season. If Mourinho wants to improve those odds, then there's some work to be done in the goalkeeping department.

But the arrival of Hart doesn’t mean Lloris’ days in a Spurs shirt are numbered by any stretch of the imagination. Far from it, in fact, if reports are to be believed. Despite still having two years remaining on his current deal, Mourinho is said to be keen to tie Lloris down to a new extension. Nevertheless, the giants of the EPL such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea always ensure they have multiple goalkeeping options to cover all aspects of the season.

City have Ederson, Bravo and Grimshaw. Liverpool have Alisson, Adrian and Kelleher with Karius on his way back after his loan spell. United have De Gea, Romero, Grant, and Henderson. Chelsea have Kepa, Caballero and Cumming. Last season, Spurs only had Lloris and Gazzaniga at their disposal (until the emergency re-signing of Michel Vorm), leaving them just a freak injury away from being left exceptionally short between the sticks.

In economic terms, the signing of Hart is also a very savvy move. It’s been suggested that Hart is having to take a pay cut on his former deal at Burnley, who are by no means the league’s biggest payers. Furthermore, Hart is still something of a spring chicken in goalkeeping terms. Aged 33 like Lloris, Hart could yet have another five or six years at the top level.

Even though our main man finished the season in great form, finding a reliable back-up to talisman Harry Kane is still high on the priority list during pre-season. Swedish international Robin Quaison could be on the radar, with the 26-year-old now in the last 12 months of his contract with Bundesliga side Mainz. Averaging more than one goal every three appearances for Mainz last season, Quaison could be another clever addition with the purse strings tight for the foreseeable future.

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