Hugo Lloris says his “strong relationship” with Harry Kane will count for nothing when France and England battle for a World Cup semi-final place.
The Tottenham team-mates and captains of their respective countries are close friends, but that familiarity will be forgotten when they go head-to-head in Doha. “Harry is known all over the world, so I don’t think I can add much to what's already known,” said Lloris.
“We have a very strong relationship. We’ve been together for about nine years, so we know each other very well on and off the pitch. I only have positive things to say about Harry. He’s a very important player for the team, for his club and for England as well. He’s a real leader, an example to his team-mates and a top player.
"He’s been decisive for his club and country, and very often he makes the difference. But he’s an opponent on this occasion and we will be focused on our countries. Like all of the players on Saturday, he’s going to be determined to get his team through. At the end, one of us will be happy and the other will be sad.”
Facing him every day in training at Spurs, Lloris knows first-hand the threat Kane poses, particularly from the penalty spot. Kane has scored 60 of 69 penalties he has taken for club and country, an 87 per cent success rate, with Lloris admitting he will be up against it if England win a spot kick or the game goes to a shootout.
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“Harry has the ability to shoot anywhere - to my right, my left, the middle,” said Lloris. “He’s one of the best in this aspect of the game, but for Harry and all the other players there will be analysis done on their penalties.
“Then it’s all about feeling, about that instinct you get in the match. But before you arrive in a penalty shootout, there is the time to make a difference on the pitch. We will see. It will be a tough game and anything can become decisive for both teams. We have to be ready for any scenario.”
Lloris has spent the past decade in England with Tottenham after signing from Lyon for £11million in 2012, but said his affinity with his adopted home will be put to one side on Saturday evening.
“My two last children were born in England and my eldest daughter grew up in England,” said Lloris. “There’s a rivalry between England and France, they are major footballing nations, but you see in other sports, like rugby. Here at the World Cup, they are two very good teams, and France and England is always a very special match, but as players we need to make sure we are up for it.
“We have to make sure we’re ready. England is also an ambitious country, they’ve come here to win, so it’s going to be a very tough game. England were semi-finalists at the last World Cup, runners-up at the last Euros, so there’s a real progression. I believe this team is mature and ready to compete for trophies. We have to make sure we’re ready to challenge England. It will be a big battle. There’s everything for a big game.”
