Tottenham keeper Lloris ‘mentally and physically empty’ after France’s World Cup glory
Frenchman was drained after Russia 2018 but is fully focused on cementing a top three spot and Champions League success
HUGO LLORIS admits winning the World Cup was so demanding it left him “mentally and physically empty”.
Tottenham’s French goalkeeper is now fully focused on achieving the best possible end to the season for his club.
But asked whether he had been able to enjoy France’s success in Russia, the captain of Les Bleus said: “After the World Cup, yes — the next two or three days.
“There is a lot of celebration, a lot of obligation towards the country and the fans. But then after that, you feel so empty. Mentally and physically.
“Because it’s a long tournament. It demands a lot of energy and emotion.
“I remember I needed to stay in bed one day and just stop, disconnect a little bit, because I was completely empty in my body and my mind.
“Then you just have time to try to enjoy your holiday and the new season appears.
“For all the players involved at the World Cup, it was not easy to move on to another season. For all of the French players involved, we needed more time to find a new rhythm.”
After the tournament, Lloris was fined and banned for drink-driving but Spurs stood by him. He said: “I am the kind of guy who learns a lot through different experiences — good or bad.”
Tottenham will use today’s clash with Leicester to try to make the Premier League title battle a three-horse race.
And on Wednesday there is the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Lloris admitted: “The main target for the club is to get in the top four for the fourth time in a row.
“We will see in March if we will be in a place to compete for the title.
“And we are still involved in the Champions League. To face the leader of the Bundesliga is something fantastic.
“It is why you play football and why you want to be involved in the Champions League every year — to compete against the best.”
TOTTENHAM (likely): Lloris, Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Trippier, Eriksen, Winks, Sissoko, Lamela, Son, Llorente.
