According to Dutch source NOS, Tottenham Hotspur will re-sign Michel Vorm due to the injury to Hugo Lloris. The Netherlands keeper was released by the club last year, but they now require the services of the player.
Tottenham Hotspur to Re-Sign Michel Vorm as Temporary Measure
A Quick Solution
It may seem bizarre that the club have gone back on their decision in bringing Vorm. But, the key issue in this situation is that Lloris is injured until at least the start of 2020. As a result, Paulo Gazzaniga is the only senior goalkeeper left in the squad. There is no need to wait until January though for reinforcements. Vorm can be signed on a free and would be available to play immediately.
Spurs will need to register Vorm for the Champions League squad, however, this should still be earlier than the February deadline for new January signings. Article 45.04 of the ‘UEFA Regulations of the Champions League’ allows for a temporary replacement of a goalkeeper due to long term illness or injury. This would mean Pochettino could call upon two goalkeepers with some decent experience.
Youth Goalkeepers Given No Chance
The re-signing of Vorm does pose a question of why the club didn’t choose to give Alfie Whiteman or Brandon Austin a chance. But, perhaps it is a case of these young stars still needing some time to develop. The goalkeeper position differs from an aspiring outfield player. Whilst the likes of Oliver Skipp can initially perform cameos from the bench, goalkeepers don’t get these runouts. Instead, it is in injury struck situations like this that such players get some game-time.
Good Enough, Old Enough
There have been many accounts of the some of the best goalkeepers playing even in the Champions League at a young age. Iker Casillas was 18 years old when he appeared for Real Madrid. Now seasoned professional Igor Akinfeev first appeared for CSKA Moscow in Europe also as an 18-year-old.
In comparison, Alfie Whiteman is 21 years old. This is the same age as Aaron Ramsdale who has already made 8 Premier League appearances so far this year, as the youngest keeper in the league. Meanwhile, Whiteman has made some bench appearances for Spurs. But, he is next after Gazzaniga in the hierarchy of goalkeepers, training with both Lloris and Gazzaniga under the watchful eye of coach Toni Jimenez.
Brandon Austin is younger than Whiteman but has featured a lot for the academy teams. He too has had some experience training with the first team.
Get Alfie Whiteman and Brandon Austin Out on Loan
Bringing Vorm back is an insurance policy to increase the number of experienced goalkeepers to play across all competitions. It may be that Pochettino could still call Whiteman into action in the case of another injury or illness. However, he is likely to see much less game-time with Vorm’s arrival.
So, why aren’t these young goalkeepers out on loan? Whilst there is a chance to play in the academy matches, this isn’t the best for progress. Instead, it is much better for the goalkeepers to go out on loan to the EFL clubs. Take Luke McGee‘s loan at Peterborough United where he made 39 appearances in 2016/7 as a good example. It may be that Spurs couldn’t install one of their young keepers at a willing club. But, it is frustrating that talents are being stifled in the academy when they should be gathering senior first-team experience.
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