In a recent report, Gazzetta dello Sport (subscription required) has provided an update on Tottenham Hotspur‘s pursuit of LOSC Lille custodian Mike Maignan. It is understood that Spurs can land the French keeper for just under €20m with Jose Mourinho eyeing him as a potential replacement for Hugo Lloris.
Maignan’s Eye-Catching Form At Stade Pierre Mauroy This Season
Maignan has successfully established himself as one of Ligue 1’s top keepers because of his consistency in goal for Lille this season. The French goalie has made 40 appearances for Christophe Galtier’s side this term, letting in 34 goals and earning 18 clean sheets across various competitions.
The Cayenne-born shot-stopper has caught the eye by averaging 0.5 clearances and 5.0 long balls per 90 minutes in the French top-flight and the UEFA Europa League. However, Maignan’s ball-distribution has some room for improvement as evidenced by his pass success rate of 66.4% in both those competitions (stats via whoscored).
The 25-year-old has taken great strides towards improving himself during this campaign. Maignan has shown that he has all the right attributes to be a success story at a top club like Tottenham if Jose Mourinho decides to make a move to bring him to North London this summer.
What Will The French Custodian Bring To The Table?
Maignan can sense the danger quickly and usually positions himself well to clear the danger when needed. He has excellent reflexes which help him make some outstanding saves at the back. The French sensation is also solid at handling the ball when coming out of his lines to collect crosses and loose balls. However, there is no denying that he has to work on improving his accuracy when passing the ball from inside his penalty area if he wants to taste success at the highest level.
Should Spurs Get Maignan On Board This Summer?
Based on Maignan’s excellent form this season, it is a no-brainer for Mourinho to snap the Lille star up as he will be the perfect, long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris, who has flattered to deceive with his performances for the North London giants this season.
Maignan has what it takes to earn regular first-team starts under Mourinho but there are some question marks over whether he can cope with the physical nature and high intensity of Premier League football. Even then, Spurs should consider paying Lille’s asking price as Maignan is well worth the price of admission. At 25, he is about to embark upon the prime stage of his playing career which means that Mourinho will fancy his chances of getting the best out of the player at the English capital in the years to come.
