Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness says Hugo Lloris is “past his sell-by date” after watching Tottenham lose 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.
The visitors scored two second-half goals through Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz to snatch all three points and leave Tottenham playing catch-up with the top four.
Spurs are now two points off fourth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand on Antonio Conte’s side, with Tottenham facing Arsenal and Manchester City in their next three Premier League fixtures.
Tottenham were booed off the pitch by their fans and Lloris came under scrutiny after the match following a poor performance in net.
Lloris was blamed for Aston Villa’s opener after his spill from Luiz’s long shot allowed Ollie Watkins to set up Buendia to score.
And Souness is not convinced Lloris – who played in the World Cup final for France last month – is still up to playing at the top level.
Souness said on Sky Sports: “I’m not a fan of Lloris. He is past his sell-by date.
“Since the start of last season, he has made four errors which have led to goals – that’s the worst record of any goalkeeper.”
Conte described guiding Tottenham to fourth place last season as a “miracle” and he wants supporters and the media to be realistic about their chances this season.
“I know what is the reality because I am the coach,” Conte told reporters.
“The club knows very well what are my thoughts on the situation. The situation was very clear. I continue to work and to improve and to help you to improve the club, to create a solid foundation and then to develop.
“You have to know that there are clubs who can invest £200m or £300m and others with different policies and I repeat you have to respect the policy.
“The policy has to be very clear with all people otherwise we created a situation that’s not positive for the environment to create expectations that are not realistic, honestly.
“I was expecting this moment. Now we have to start to fight strong, because the situation in this league you can slip quickly.
“If you ask me if I’m scared, I’m not scared. I believe in my work, I believe in these players, but don’t ask me for things I cannot promise you.”
Clement Lenglet, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison all arrived in Tottenham’s summer recruitment drive but Tottenham fans aimed chants at Daniel Levy during the match.
Conte added: “I continue to repeat that last season we made a miracle.
“I was very clear with the club because in this moment and before to become a title contender, because I remember very well in the summer at the start people talked about Tottenham as title contenders but in my experience it was a bit crazy to read this.
“People think you arrive and you win. This can happen for a team that are used to winning in the past. But if you are not used to it it means you have to create this situation and for this reason you need time and patience.
“I understand that the fans are disappointed because they can say ‘but we’ve been patient for a long time’, I understand it but the situation is this. If you want the truth I can tell you the truth.”
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