Clement Lenglet hasn’t been in N17 long and Tottenham have already made another signing, since his arrival. The French international was Spurs’ fifth signing of the summer and not long after, Djed Spence became the sixth. Lenglet made the move from Barcelona, on a season-long loan and made his debut on Saturday, in the 2-1 win against Rangers, after not being able to make the trip to South Korea. However, on Tottenham’s travels overseas, the defender’s fellow countryman Hugo Lloris was full of praise for the 27-year-old and what fans could expect.
Hugo Lloris said: “About Clement, I’m really happy. Obviously I would have preferred him to be here with the team but it was not to be and he is working very hard to make sure he is going to be ready to work with the team soon. You know he’s the kind of player who is going to help the team, obviously with his experience, having played in a club like Barcelona and also his experience with the national team, even if the last few times he was not called, I think he has the ambition to get back in the national team. As a player I think he’s a modern defender, comfortable to be able to play from the back, he has a great left foot and he can be very strong in one vs one and he’s strong in the air. Even if it’s never easy when you arrive in the Premier League and he will have to adapt to the intensity of the games but he is a high level player,” Lloris added. Also I’m even more happy because I have a good connection with him and also a great relationship with him. He has a great personality and he will adapt well to the team.”
Supporters got to see a glimpse of Lenglet’s potential impact at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday. The Frenchman replaced Davinson Sanchez in the 71st minute of the game, slotting in on the left of the back three. The 27-year-old’s biggest competition will be Ben Davies, who thrived in the left centre-back role last season, but picked up an injury against Sevilla and was left out of the Tottenham squad against Rangers. Lenglet was composed under pressure, dealt with what came at him and played a lovely long ball over the top to Richarlison, showing the impact he could have on the front foot too.
Clément Lenglet said: “I’m very happy, very grateful to be here and I see all the people with a lot of energy to do something bigger than the last year and I want to help my teammates and the club to be bigger. I see a lot of videos, I see a lot of games and I know the finishing of the last season was very, very good for the club, for the team and I hope we start on the same foot. A lot of wins and if it’s possible and I try and show it’s possible, win a trophy because we are a good team. We have a lot of people working with the team who help us and I think the club is ready to fight against everybody to win a trophy. It’s my dream.”
Silverware is something Tottenham have been without for 14 years and so Lenglet’s comments are likely to be views shared by his new teammates and fans. The Frenchman’s time at Spurs is just beginning and he will have to work hard to not only improve as a player himself, but also compete with Davies for regular game time next season.
