Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Lloris-c16408 over a starting spot in the team, and insists that it is healthy for the club.
The veteran American shot stopped expects his rivalry with Hugo Lloris to continue till the end of the season, and thinks that it brings the best out of both players.
Friedel and Lloris both have been fighting for a spot in the first team ever since the Frenchman was signed on a dramatic deadline day transfer by the North London club.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas has used both players in the last three Premier League games, and started Lloris in the game against Aston Villa, much to the surprise of many.
This game had ended Friedel’s impressive record of 310 consecutive Premier League starts, and was probably a move to rest up the American before last Saturday’s derby game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786.
Tottenham had ended up losing the contest 2-4, but there was little that Friedel could have done about the goals.
The 41-year old however is not fazed by any concerns regarding his place in the first team, and is convinced that both keepers give the club and edge and have an equal shot at starting games.
Friedel believes the choice between both him and Lloris presents a welcome selection headache for manager Andre Villas-Boas. Speaking to reporters, he said:
“It was always in the manager’s plans to play me against Chelsea and I knew from the points he benched me against Aston Villa.”
The player then rubbished rumours that claimed there was a rift between the manager and both players, and added:
“The media wanted to make out that it was this big fifth between http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-c16384 and myself and the manager, but there was never a big fight. The fact is Tottenham have been looking for a long-term number one goalkeeper for the past year and a half.”
“I don’t think the envisioned what my fitness levels would be at this age, and I sort of surprised myself. We have competition now, and it’s healthy and friendly.”
Tottenham’s 4-game winning run ended when Chelsea visited last week, and will be looking to bounce back from the defeat and get back to winning ways.
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