In Hugo Lloris – the French number one who has kept goal at White Hart Lane since 2012 – Tottenham have finally found a shot-stopper worthy of gracing a title-chasing team.
But getting there hasn’t been easy. Spurs have used 15 goalkeepers since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, and whilst there have been one or two hits during that time, they’ve also had more than their fair share of misses.
It almost seems like the No.1 spot has been a position the club has taken for granted over the years, having often opted for cheap quick-fixes, instead of getting out the cheque-book for a genuine long-term solution.
That changed in 2011 when Harry Redknapp turned to veteran Brad Friedel, and since the arrival of the aforementioned Lloris just a year later (which really, really sucked for Friedel) they have said goodbye to the likes of Ian Walker and Radek Cerny for good.
Speaking of which, here are all 15 of the keepers they’ve used – ordered by the date of their first PL game.
Erik Thorstvedt
Tottenham's first PL keeper was also one of the PL's first foreign players. Norwegian Throstvedt played more than 200 games for the Lilywhites.
Image source: Twitter
Ian Walker
Academy product Walker kept goal for Spurs for roughly a decade before losing his place to Neil Sullivan. Image source: Twitter
Chris Day
If the name isn't ringing any bells, don't worry. Day - who is still going at Stevenage - only managed one game in the league.
Image source: Twitter
Espen Baardsen
Another Norwegian - this time US-born Baardsen - who quit football aged 25 after a spell under David Moyes at Everton (take from that what you will).
Image source: Twitter
Hans Segers
Dutchman Segers was signed from Wolves as a veteran back-up option - and only took to the field the once. Image source: Twitter
Neil Sullivan
Sullivan was Tottenham's No.1 between 2000 and 2002 - but lost his place and went onto warm the bench at Chelsea. Image source: Twitter
Kasey Keller
100-cap American Keller was little more than a transitional keeper - and soon became under study to Paul Robinson. Image source: Twitter
Paul Robinson
Speak of the devil - Robinson joined from relegated Leeds in 2004, and was No.1 at White Hart Lane for three years. Image source: Twitter
Radek Cerny
Cerny managed 16 appearances during his three seasons at Spurs, where he was loaned from Slavia Prague. Image source: Twitter
Heurelho Gomes
Gomes came from PSV with a big reputation, but dropped too many clangers for Harry's liking. Image source: Twitter
Carlo Cudicini
Signed from Chelsea in 2009, Cudicini's best days were behind him, and he never managed to win the No.1 jersey from Gomes.
Image source: Twitter
Ben Alnwick
Alnwick played just one game - at Turf Moore, where he let in four. Image source: Twitter
Brad Friedel
Friedel finally found the big club he deserved in 2011, but the arrival of Lloris a year later relegated him to the bench. Image source: Twitter
Hugo Lloris
The France captain is one of the elder statesmen at youthful Spurs these days - and it's hard to imagine where they'd be without him. Image source: Twitter
Michel Vorm
A reliable back-up option for Pochettino since joining from Swansea in 2014, Vorm is arguably the Premier League's best No.2. Image source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: Fortress White Hart Lane
Here’s a belated trigger warning for any Spurs fans who might be reading: yes, the above list does feature both Paul Robinson and Heurelho Gomes.
The good news is that Lloris appears to be settled in North London despite regularly being linked with a move elsewhere, and as long as they have the cool Frenchman keeping goal, they have a fighting chance of claiming some honours in the years ahead.
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