Hugo Lloris’ contract extension is imperative for Antonio Conte’s Spurs

Amongst the transfer rumours about who Antonio Conte may want to bring to the club, Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris enters the final six months of his contract.

The Frenchman has been Spurs’ number one for 10 seasons now and in a game largely dominated by his team, provided a crucial save against Joshua King to keep the scores level at Vicarage Road.

This save, combined with sharp reactions to beat Joao Pedro to a ball behind his defence, meant the visitors were rarely threatened by Watford’s attack and eventually won the game through a late Davinson Sanchez header.

Lloris’ manager Antonio Conte was full of praise for his goalkeeper after the game and clearly recognised the need to keep him as he seeks to make Tottenham competitive at the top end of the Premier League.

“Yeah for sure, but you can see the level of the goalkeeper in these circumstances.

“When I speak with him and the team, the link between the goalkeeper and the team must be very important. It is very important especially when you defend very high with a defensive line.

“The goalkeeper has to follow the game and not only stay on the line to make saves. Hugo [Lloris] today showed that he is top and he is focused.

“For us, he is very important and I am sure that in a short time they can find a solution with the club, because he loves Tottenham and Tottenham loves him.”

The 35-year-old’s presence within the squad cannot be overstated. His professionalism within the dressing room and commitment to the club over the past decade ranks him amongst modern Tottenham greats.

A transfer back to Nice has been rumoured but Lloris may feel there is unfinished business with Fabrizio Romano reporting the club are in talks to renew his contract until 2023.

A World Cup winning captain with France, Conte will recognise the need to keep a character such as Lloris around to build a winning mentality.

You will be hard-pressed to attend a Tottenham game without hearing cries of ‘Hugo!’ bound out from the Spurs supporters. The level of the shot-stopper often goes unnoticed but the Frenchman’s performances continue to prove critical in Antonio Conte’s positive start to life in North London.

With a Man of the Match performance against West Ham in the Carabao Cup, Lloris now faces another semi-final in a Tottenham shirt.

After runs to the last four in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League whilst at the club, the goalkeeper may recognise that Conte represents his best chance at finally lifting a trophy as Spurs captain.

Over the coming month, four London derbies approach with three clashes against Conte’s former employers Chelsea.

The run could define Spurs’ season. A cup final and advantage in the race for fourth requires experience in the dressing room to stand up and be counted. For Conte to finally bring success to Tottenham, Hugo Lloris is indispensable in the present and the future.

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