Fabio Paratici is going to have quite a challenge on his hands looking for Hugo Lloris' long-term Tottenham successor. Turning 36 on Boxing Day, the veteran goalkeeper, who moved to N17 from Lyon in 2012, has 18 months left to run on his current deal having penned a two-year extension last January.
Although goalkeepers can still play on into their late 30s and early 40s, Tottenham need to get a plan in place quickly to ensure they find the perfect replacement and don't struggle in the goalkeeping department after his departure.
Everton and England shot-stopper Jordan Pickford has been linked with a switch to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium recently, but Louis Saha, who represented both Tottenham and Everton, doesn't believe a move for the 28-year-old makes much sense at this time.
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"I’m not sure about Pickford as I don’t think you’ll find a better player than Hugo Lloris as a captain and as someone who knows the club and the progression that this club needs to reach the top," the Frenchman told BoyleSports.
"Lloris hasn’t shown that he’s a weak link - he’s still a great goalkeeper. Just like De Gea, he’s still a top player who can play at the highest level.
"Pickford could be a good choice, he’s a top goalkeeper, but I am not sure he’s way better than Lloris - so it doesn’t make much sense."
Another player who has been linked with Tottenham in the past is Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. A player Paratici adores after bringing him to Turin from Schalke in 2020, Saha believes Tottenham don't need him right now and instead pointed to a player in the mould of Manchester United's Casemiro who "guarantees success".
"I’m not sure why Juventus would want to sell Weston McKennie on the cheap," he said. "I know they want around £20million and that could be an indication that he’s not a guarantee to play better than what they already have.
"Signing someone like Casemiro, who’s won five Champions Leagues, guarantees success. He’s got great potential but it’s not what Conte needs."
Tottenham did strengthen their midfield back in the summer with Yves Bissouma making the move from Brighton & Hove Albion after wowing in Graham Potters' Seagulls team. Spurs fans haven't seen the best of him yet as he has played a bit-part role with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur excelling in the middle of the park.
Saha cannot put his finger on why Bissouma has yet to hit the heights for Spurs, indicating that they may have asked too much of him, too quickly.
"I don’t know why Bissouma has struggled. He’s technically brilliant and physically he’s a beast," he explained. "It’s a strange one and Tanguy Ndombele also struggled and went back to Italy.
"Conte’s frustration is coming from midfield as there’s talent there but we still need experienced players - look at what Christian Eriksen has brought to United. Casemiro is a legend, five-time Champions League winner and he’s changed United massively. I think Spurs have asked too much of Bissouma too quickly."
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