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Lloris: 'My future lies with Mauricio'

Reuters / Andrew Couldridge Livepic

Tottenham and France No. 1 Hugo Lloris has quelled speculation of a summer exit, though it comes with a condition.

"My future lies with Mauricio. It's a certainty," Lloris told Le Figaro, courtesy of the Evening Standard.

It makes sense that the spry shot-stopper would back his manager, Mauricio Pochettino, with both among the best at their respective duties, and both the topic of links to Europe's marquee sides.

"It matters a lot to me. Our relationship goes beyond football. One day he will be the best coach in the world," Lloris continued.

"For me, he already is. His presence and our relationship are what matter the most to me in my eyes."

It's hard to argue with Lloris' assessment of the Argentine gaffer, and despite noted failings in European competitions, Pochettino has admirably formed a young Spurs core built by modest means into a defensively sound pressing machine.

That system has yielded the league's joint-fewest number of goals this season, and Lloris has benefited, with the 30-year-old considered among the continent's best.

Still, he reverted to a trope common among footballers: pledging your future to a club, while keeping all potential avenues clear.

"I feel very good here, after all in football, everything is still fragile and can change very quickly," Lloris said.

"There are things you cannot refuse, but that does not mean I am desperate."

With Tottenham looking to forsake a tradition of selling its best players - high-profile Real Madrid moves for Luka Modric and Gareth Bale being the most recent examples - Lloris hinted at the allure of Europe's monolithic sides.

"There are some teams that demand admiration, they are monsters for what they have done in their past, and in 10 or 15 years they will win again.

"Tottenham is not a club that always wins, but we are trying to create something. It's not easy to fight against European monsters but it is a motivation."

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