World Cup 2010

Gregory Coupet Hails ‘Phenomenal’ France Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris

According to Coupet, there should no longer be a debate regarding who Raymond Domenech's first choice shot-stopper should be. He has emphatically placed Lloris ahead of Mandanda...

Nov 17, 2009 3:53:11 PM

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Ligue 1 : Gregory Coupet (Paris SG)

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France’s goalkeeping position has been hotly disputed between Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda over the last 18 months, but former international custodian Gregory Coupet has positively asserted that the Olympique Lyonnais glovesman deserves his place as les Bleus’ No. 1.

Coupet, who now turns out for Paris Saint-Germain, has heaped praise on his successor between the poles at Stade Gerland, and though he believes that Olympique de Marseille custodian Mandanda is also adept, the Nice-born 22-year-old gets his nod.

Lloris impressed in the Champions League against Liverpool and made a couple of sensational saves in the World Cup play-off first leg at Croke Park against Ireland, a match France won 1-0. Such performances have won the respect of Coupet.

“He’s a phenomenon,” the PSG stopper gushed to RMC. “Lyon owe their third placed finish [in Ligue 1] last season largely to him. Because of what he did last weekend, the choice has to be made in his favour.

“He works well at the moment and there is no reason to change. At one point, it is important to elect a starter.”

Lloris has been a regular at the Ligue 1 level since he broke through into Nice’s first team in season 2006-07. Having accrued over 70 top flight appearances with les Aiglons, he made a multi-million euro switch to Lyon, where his reputation has continued to grow after firmly establishing himself as les Gones’ first choice.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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