‘We had great times’: Hugo Lloris says he misses having ‘fantastic’ Tottenham player around Hotspur Way

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It might have only been just over a week since Dele Alli left Tottenham for Everton, but goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is already missing his former teammate being at Hotspur Way.

Alli signed for Everton on deadline day as Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici ruthlessly wielded the axe on some of the Tottenham players. As we all know, Dele had fallen foul to a severe drop in form in recent seasons and looked a shadow of the player he was who initially burst onto the scene.

Lloris and Alli shared some great times as teammates. They were both part of the successful side which reached the Champions League final in 2019. Indeed, there was a time when Dele Alli was considered one of the very best up and coming midfielders in the world.

And Lloris, speaking to The Times, admits that Alli was ready for a fresh start, albeit he does miss his now former teammate being around.

“I really like Dele. We had some great times at Spurs but also it’s important that players find new challenges. Sometimes a new challenge is not at the same place,” Lloris said.

“Dele has to go to another place but the most important thing is I want to see Dele with a smile. I wanted Dele to enjoy football and I know it was a bit complicated for him in the last two years. A lot of inconsistency in terms of games played, but that is part of the career. It’s never easy for anyone. Even the best players in the world have some ups and downs.”

TBR’s View: Alli Can Be Successful At Everton

But the only way he is going to do that is by buckling down and working hard under the guidance of Frank Lampard. Alli needed to move from Spurs, everyone accepted that.

However, it’s now down to him to show he can do the business. Dele Alli is a talented midfield player who once had the world at his feet. He’s not got his fresh start, with a manager who will believe in him. The key now for Dele is to simply deliver on the pitch.

Let’s not forget, Dele has quality, and it wasn’t too long ago he was labelled ‘fantastic’ by MOTD regular, Ian Wright.