Hugo: 'Michel and I will make Pau Lopez feel comfortable'

Pau Lopez can look forward to a warm welcome from Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm when he arrives at Hotspur Way after international duty this week.

The 21-year-old stopper has joined us on loan from Espanyol, where he was first-choice goalkeeper in La Liga last season.

Familiar to Mauricio Pochettino and goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez following their time at Espanyol between 2009 and 2012, Pau is yet to join up with his new team-mates as he’s away with Spain Under-21s.

He was on the bench for his nation in their 6-0 home win over San Marino in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier on Thursday and is preparing for a second qualifier in Sweden tomorrow (Monday, September 5).

Hugo has been keeping tabs on Pau’s progress and he says both he and Michel will try to help our new recruit settle in when he checks in at the Training Centre after the international break.

“I know a bit about him already – he played in La Liga last season for Espanyol and he’s a young keeper with a lot of quality,” said our captain, who is currently recovering from a hamstring injury sustained on the opening day of the season at Everton.

“We will try to make him comfortable on the pitch and off the pitch. It’s important to make him feel quite settled within the squad – it’s a new experience for him outside his country and I think it’s good for Michel, for me and for Toni (Jimenez) too. He will train with us and he will help us to continue our improvement.

“Playing as a goalkeeper is never easy but mentality is important. We try to work well, try to be involved every day for the team and try to improve our levels. These are things that are important for all the players but when you’re a keeper these things are especially important.”