With Friday’s news that goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was set to miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Watford following injury, the instant question was who replaces him.
Michel Vorm is the obvious go-to here and he’s our accepted backup goalkeeper for instances where Lloris is unavailable for selection or requires a rest, but plenty of fans on social media felt that instead of turning to the former Swansea City No 1 we should in fact pivot and give former Southampton goalie Paulo Gazzaniga a chance to shine.
The 26-year-old Argentine stopper has largely been a forgotten man at White Hart Lane following his arrival from the Saints back in the 2017 August transfer window and he made a solitary appearance, his debut, back in November 2017 where he took his place in the first team in a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
He hasn’t been seen since really.
Can Gazzaniga start over Vorm?
— Alexandra (@alex_thfc) August 31, 2018
Gazzaniga needs to start not Vorm. https://t.co/lbtbst8aaw
— Harps (@Harps1981) August 31, 2018
Play Gazzaniga not vorm please
— Hussam (@Hustot) August 31, 2018
Good point, I think Gazzaniga desperately needs games and would like to see him start on Sunday but won’t be surprised if Vorm is in the XI. Gazzaniga had a pretty good preseason as well
— Tottenham Hotspur World (@WorldHotspur) August 31, 2018
Gazzaniga is my favourite player
— cengie (@cengie_) August 31, 2018
Gazzaniga >>> Vorm
— Léa (@Xeria69) August 31, 2018
Gazza to start imo
— Brandon (@COYSBrandon) August 31, 2018
As the reactions show, Vorm’s talents are well known but at 34-years-old we should be looking to the future and whilst Gazzaniga shouldn’t immediately become our No 2 stopper, he won’t develop further without getting additional games.
If he doesn’t get the chance to challenge for backup and prove he’s worthy of that tag, we might as well move him on. With Mauricio Pochettino bringing him originally to Southampton before forcing the reunion, if he’s not ready after all those years at his age, he never will be.