‘Huge respect’… Guglielmo Vicario now shares what Hugo Lloris did in training before Tottenham exit

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Guglielmo Vicario has claimed he has ‘huge respect’ for Tottenham Hotspur’s former captain Hugo Lloris.

The Italian shot-stopper would have been forgiven for taking some time to adjust to life at Tottenham, especially after replacing such a prominent figure in Hugo Lloris.

But since joining from Empoli last summer, Guglielmo Vicario has barely put a foot wrong between the sticks.

Lloris was expected to depart shortly after Vicario arrived but a move for the Frenchman failed to materialise during the summer transfer window.

Instead, the 36-year-old joined MLS side Los Angeles FC in January and trained alongside Vicario during the Italian’s first few months at the club. 

And Vicario has claimed that Lloris helped him massively as he adjusted to life in north London.

Vicario on what Lloris did in training before Tottenham exit

Speaking to ESPN, Vicario reflected on the challenge of replacing Lloris at Spurs.

“We trained every day and he was one of my teammates so any advice, anything I could to try and take from him, I tried to do,” Vicario said. “He was very kind with me, trying to speak with me and help settle me as fast as I can. He did it and I’m very grateful to him.

“Pressure is a word you find everywhere in football,” said Vicario when asked if he felt any pressure in replacing Tottenham’s former skipper. “It is not about overthinking who was before you. I have a huge respect for what Hugo did and what he did with me also when we trained in these last few months. He was a massive keeper, a massive human being in the way he behaves with me.

“So big respect for what he achieved in his career, he is a World Cup winner, a captain. So I think pressure is everywhere in football so you don’t have to overthink and just concentrate on what you have to do day by day.”

It certainly felt like the right time for Lloris to move on after 11 years at the club.

His exit possibly came later than expected as many thought the Frenchman would move on after Vicario’s arrival. But based on Vicario’s comments, he certainly benefitted from having Lloris around the place for a few months. 

Lloris was a fantastic servant to Tottenham and it’s no surprise to hear that he acted professionally after losing his place in the Spurs side.