News Focus
- RC Lens considered signing former Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris last summer
- The club chose Robin Risser from Strasbourg for their number one position instead
- France manager Didier Deschamps now faces the same goalkeeper selection dilemma
- Risser has earned a spot in the UNFP Team of the Season for his performances
- The young keeper could secure a place in France’s World Cup squad ahead of Lloris
France national team manager Didier Deschamps will announce his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup later this evening. The coach admitted on Monday that he still has two or three decisions to make. One of these concerns the third-choice goalkeeper role.
The contest appears to be between veteran Hugo Lloris and the uncapped Robin Risser. Interestingly, Deschamps is not the only French football figure to have weighed up these two shot-stoppers. Jean-Louis Léca, sporting director at RC Lens, revealed he faced an identical dilemma last summer.
In an interview with beIN Sports, Léca explained that Lens were searching for a new first-choice goalkeeper during the previous transfer window. The club had to decide between signing “the emblematic goalkeeper of the France national team, or their new one.” Ultimately, the Ligue 1 side selected Risser.
The 23-year-old Frenchman arrived from RC Strasbourg Alsace for a modest fee. His decision has proven wise. Risser enjoyed an outstanding campaign, earning inclusion in the prestigious UNFP Team of the Season.
Now, the Lens keeper stands on the verge of a World Cup call-up. He could potentially claim the final goalkeeping slot at the expense of the former Spurs captain.