Thimothée Lo-Tutala, the other French goalkeeper at Spurs
In addition to Hugo Lloris, Tottenham has another French goalkeeper in its ranks: Thimothée Lo-Tutala (18). A doorman still unknown to the public on this side of the Channel, but who has nevertheless been keeping the goals of the France U19 team for a few months.
Since the start of the season, Hugo Lloris has spoken French every day during specific goalkeeper training sessions with Tottenham. At his side, Thimothée Lo-Tutala trains with Antonio Conte’s professional group every day. Something to take some advice: “Hugo is impressive, confides the French U19 international to RMC Sport. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he is French and it is great to have him here to progress.
At 18, Lo-Tutala is not yet very well known in French football. Left at less than a year with his parents in London, the native of Gonesse (Val d’Oise) made all his ranges in England: the small club of Belonians, then tests in Reading and West Ham, a first signing in Brentford before committing to Tottenham. Even with a voice that hints at an accent from across the Channel, the porter feels more French than English. « I came back every vacation to France to see my cousins, we always spoke French, he explains. In my head, I always said to myself that I was going to come back to live in France. I never closed the door to the English selection, they called me three times for rallies, but I am with France in U19 and I feel good there.
A new adventure next summer?
It was first Toni Jimenez, the current goalkeeper coach of PSG, but who worked at Tottenham at the time of Mauricio Pochettino, who first brought up the Franco-Englishman with the first team.
And it was his youth goalkeeper coach at Tottenham who took the initiative to contact the French Football Federation a few months ago. The FFF then began to observe the doorman before deciding to call him for the first time last September. Since then, Timothée Lo-Tutala has been in the selection.
« I think this start to the season has made me progress well, with training every day with the professionals but also with the France team, continues the goalkeeper. I feel ready for professional football, it’s the level I want to reach, but I know I have to be patient because I’m at an ambitious club. »
At the end of the contract with Tottenham, Timothée Lo-Tutala is however not certain to continue with the Spurs. The desire to discover the professional world could push the player to discover a new club. By realizing, why not, his childhood dream: to come and live in France.
