Tottenham analysis: Spurs must keep Hugo Lloris as Mauricio Pochettino's Champions League gamble backfires

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Tom Collomosse22 November 2016

Hugo Lloris' penalty heroics could not rescue Tottenham's Champions League campaign as Mauricio Pochettino's men slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Monaco.

The result means Spurs cannot progress from Group E and need a point against CSKA Moscow at Wembley next month to finish third and qualify for the Europa League.

Standard Sport's Tom Collomosse was in attendance to assess the key talking points...

Pay Hugo Lloris what he wants

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What a goalkeeper Tottenham have. Had it not been for their captain, Spurs would have lost by many more goals. One stop – from Kamil Glik’s point-blank volley in the second half – was truly breathtaking.

But there were others: the penalty save from Radamel Falcao, the block from Benjamin Mendy. Lloris is in no hurry to extend his contract, which has another two-and-a-half years to run.

He is the best-paid player at the club on about £80,000 per week. Lloris knows he could earn much more elsewhere. It would give Tottenham a huge lift if they could agree a new deal with the skipper.

The juggle is a struggle

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This was Tottenham’s most important match of the season so far, yet Mauricio Pochettino did not feel able to pick his strongest available team.

Jan Vertonghen was left on the bench – perhaps because he is the only player who can play at left-back against Chelsea, with Rose suspended and Ben Davies injured.

But to leave both Vertonghen and Kyle Walker on the bench? These players are too important to be rested. If they are fit, they play. It really is that simple.

Dele Alli is still a jewel

He might not be having as good a season as he did last term, but the England midfielder is still making a valuable contribution.

Even though he was clearly short of full fitness due to the twisted knee that ruled him out of the north London derby, Alli still created Spurs best two chances of the first half.

He sent Heung-min Son clean through for a chance the South Korean wasted, then set up Danny Rose to cross for Harry Kane, who miskicked.

He also ran 6.1km before the break – further than any other player. He then won the penalty that allowed Kane to equalise briefly.

Spurs needed a Champions League superstar

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When Tottenham reached the quarter-finals of this competition in 2010-11, Rafael van der Vaart shone.

The Dutchman was a last-minute signing from Real Madrid in summer 2010 and although he was not always consistent, he usually delivered in the biggest matches.

Van der Vaart’s temperament suited those occasions. He knew his talent and love to demonstrate it against some of Europe’s strongest teams.

How Spurs could have done with someone like that this term.

Moussa Sissoko needs to step up

In such a crucial match, it was quite something to see Harry Winks, an academy player, preferred in the starting XI to Tottenham’s joint-record signing.

That is no slight on Winks, who deserved to be retained after his display in the 3-2 win over West Ham.

But when you pay £30million for a player – as Tottenham may eventually do for Sissoko – there is something wrong if he is not an automatic pick for games such as these.

It is still early in Sissoko’s Spurs career, but he needs to start making an impact – and quickly.

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