LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Spurs goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga gestures during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on October 27, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
According to the London Evening Standard, Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has completed a loan move to La Liga club Elche until the end of the season.
The Argentine international had failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Lilywhites during the first half of the season. The arrival of Joe Hart had pushed the 29-year-old down the pecking order.
Before the start of the season, Paulo Gazzaniga had excelled as the designated understudy to Lloris at Tottenham. He had been playing that role to good effect ever since his move to North London from Southampton back in the summer of 2017.
Gazzaniga made only four league appearances for the club in his first two seasons before a long-term injury to Lloris opened the door for him to enjoy an extended run in the starting XI last term. The Argentine started as many as 17 PL games in the previous campaign but failed to live up to the expectations, managing only two clean sheets in the process.
The 29-year-old found himself relegated to bench duty once again following Lloris’ return. The writing seemed to be on the wall for Gazzaniga after he was omitted from the club’s 2020-21 Europa League roster by Jose Mourinho back in October, with Hart usurping him in the pecking order.
Tottenham’s decision to rope in Hart before the start of the season has paid off handsomely. The veteran has impressed in the Europa League and domestic cup games, keeping 4 clean sheets in 9 games so far. Hence, it’s clear that he has proven his worth as a reliable back-up to Lloris between the sticks.
Putting things into context, Tottenham’s decision to sanction a loan exit for Paulo Gazzaniga on deadline day looks like a fair settlement for all parties. The Lilywhites clearly didn’t need three goalkeepers competing for places in their senior ranks, given the presence of accomplished stars like Lloris and Hart.
The move should also work in favour of Tottenham with regards to trimming their squad. It would hardly have made any sense for the club to keep Gazzaniga on their payroll for simply gathering dust on the sidelines. The Argentine’s situation looked unlikely to change between now and the end of the season.
Looking at things from the player’s perspective, Gazzaniga is too good to be wasting away his career as the third-choice goalkeeper at Tottenham. The 29-year-old had a few ups and downs last season but has shown in the past that he’s more than capable of playing at a high level.
A loan move to Elche has now opened a window of opportunity for him to get his career back on track and possibly work his way back into the national side. Having said that, it’s a win-win situation for all.