Mauricio Pochettino was full of praise for Paulo Gazzaniga, saying the Tottenham shot-stopper “has the potential to be top”. Gazzaniga made only his fifth appearance of the season for Spurs against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. The 26-year-old impressed in Tuesday’s 2-1 win and may have edged his way ahead of Michel Vorm in the goalkeeper pecking order.
Since his 2017-arrival from Southampton, the Argentine has only made a total of six appearances in all competitions, but that could change after another fine performance in an important game. Hugo Lloris will remain first-choice between the sticks, but Gazzaniga is positioning himself to be the second in the running and Pochettino lauded his development over the last 12 months.
He told Football.London: “I think his progression was fantastic. Of course the credit is always for the players, but (we have) to give big credit to Toni Jiminez, the goalkeeping coach, who’s helping all the keepers to improve and grow. I think after one year and a half with us, I think his progression is fantastic and we were right when we signed him, because we believed and we knew him from Southampton. He’s still young for a keeper and has the potential to be top.”
It’s bad news for Vorm, with the Dutch international having been backup to Lloris ever since he joined Tottenham from Swansea City in 2014. He’s made 47 appearances in the last four years and has raked up fewer minutes than Gazzaniga this season. Vorm’s contract expires next summer and his future may be in doubt if he becomes third-choice.
When fit, Pochettino would used the 35-year-old in the Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, but that honour might now be bestowed to his rival.