France International Perfect for Villas-Boas, Admits Tottenham Veteran

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is the perfect fit for Andre Villas-Boas' brand of football, according to his teammate Brad Friedel.

The France international quickly took the role of Tottenham's chief custodian following his £12m arrival from Lyon last summer, leaving Friedel to take up a squad role in the Portuguese manager's squad.

Lloris's propensity to quickly dash off his line and willingness to play the ball out from the back has earned him the title of a sweeper 'keeper, an element of Tottenham's defence that has proven to be so successful over the past year.

It has also played a role in ensuring the club have the best defensive record in the league along with Southampton, having conceded just twice so far this campaign, a record matched only by Bayern Munich and bettered by only Roma in Europe's top five leagues from England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

"AVB wants us to play a high line and wants us to attack teams," Friedel was quoted as saying by the Mirror.

"With that (way of playing) Hugo is very good for that style, it's not really his starting position, more the decisions he takes.

"Hugo will make a decision and just go. The tackle that he made on Theo Walcott (in the north London derby) or the save that he made at Cardiff - they were right on the borderline of being a red card or not. "I'm happy he does it so that the team can win because it obviously works. In 10 games we've conceded two goals.

"Can Hugo be one of the best ever for Tottenham? Time will tell, but he's an outstanding goalkeeper. Hugo is a very good goalkeeper and very quick in his decision making off the line."

Lloris's imperious form has limited the 42-year-old Friedel to just two appearances this season in the Europa League and the Capital One Cup.

The veteran American managed to keep clean sheets in both those games but has seen his French counterpart keep four of his own in Spurs' six Premier League games, helping the club to third in the league, two points off arch rivals Arsenal who sit top.