Exploring Tottenham Hotspur’s Pursuit of Guglielmo Vicario: Unveiling the Goalkeeping Target

Tottenham Close in on Deal to Sign Guglielmo Vicario

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to witness the passing of the goalkeeper’s torch for the 2023-24 campaign as the Lilywhites are on the verge of signing Empoli’s number one goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario. The London club has reportedly made a verbal offer of around £17.2m for the 26-year-old goalkeeper, and a formal move is expected to be completed in the coming days.

Filling Hugo Lloris’ Shoes

Being Tottenham’s number one target, Vicario emerged as the potential successor to Hugo Lloris, who has been the team’s goalkeeper for the past 11 years. While Lloris has been a stalwart for Spurs, his performance in the previous season was marred by errors, with four occurring in the Premier League alone. The hope is that Vicario will bring more stability to the goalkeeping position and perform better than his compatriot Pierluigi Gollini did in the 2021-22 season.

Vicario’s Background

Guglielmo Vicario was born in Udine, Italy in 1996. He began his footballing journey close to home by joining the Udinese youth ranks. In the 2014-15 season, Vicario gained his first taste of senior action with Fontanafredda, making 30 appearances in the fourth tier of Italian football.

His breakthrough came during a successful loan spell at Venezia in the 2015-16 season. As a teenager, Vicario kept 17 clean sheets in 36 Serie D matches, helping the club achieve promotion to the third division. The following year, he permanently joined Venezia for just €500 (£429.90).

Vicario spent two years as a backup goalkeeper before becoming the team’s number one for the 2018-19 season, making 32 appearances in Serie B. Despite Venezia’s relegation playout loss, they retained their professional license due to Palermo’s failure to do so. In 2019, Vicario made a move to Cagliari for €2m (£1.72m) and was immediately loaned out to Perugia in Serie B. Unfortunately, his side was demoted to the third tier despite his nine clean sheets.

Vicario returned to Cagliari and made his Serie A debut in April 2021. He played a vital role in Cagliari’s run to the Coppa Italia last 16 and featured in several league matches. However, he was later benched by Alessio Cragno, making only seven appearances throughout the season.

Recent Form

During the 2021-22 season, Vicario was loaned to Empoli, where he established himself as a top-level goalkeeper. He played every minute of the campaign, keeping seven clean sheets to secure survival for his team. Empoli exercised their option to buy Vicario for €8.5m (£7.3m) last summer.

In the 2022-23 season, Vicario recorded another seven clean sheets in 31 matches. He showcased his skills with a remarkable triple save in a match against Roma, highlighting his commanding presence, reflexes, and ability to close down angles for attackers. While his handling from shots could be improved, Vicario’s strong performance led to him being viewed as the second-best Serie A goalkeeper last year, behind only Inter Milan’s Andre Onana.

International Experience

Vicario’s journey to the top level of Italian football was relatively late compared to others. He did not represent any Azzurri youth teams, but he earned the trust of Italy’s head coach Roberto Mancini. Vicario made his first senior team call-up at the age of 25 and has been selected as an unused substitute for several matches. He recently participated in the Nations League finals, where Italy won the bronze medal.

Given the presence of Gianluigi Donnarumma, the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Italy, Vicario may have to wait for his first cap. However, a strong performance at Tottenham could greatly improve his chances of earning international recognition.

Editorial and Advice

The potential signing of Guglielmo Vicario represents a significant move for Tottenham Hotspur as they look to solidify their goalkeeper position for the future. While Hugo Lloris has been a loyal servant to the club, his recent errors have raised questions about his ability to perform consistently at the highest level. Vicario’s arrival could provide a fresh start and inject new energy into the goalkeeping department.

Vicario’s career trajectory showcases his determination and perseverance. From his humble beginnings in the lower tiers of Italian football to his recent success with Empoli, he has steadily improved and proven himself as a top-level shot-stopper. His strong reflexes, commanding presence, and improved footwork make him an exciting prospect for Tottenham fans.

However, it is important to recognize that Vicario is still relatively inexperienced at the highest level. While he has performed well in Serie A and Serie B, the Premier League presents a different level of competition and intensity. Adjusting to the English game and the pressure that comes with playing for a club like Tottenham will be a significant challenge. Spurs fans should, therefore, be patient and give Vicario time to adapt and settle into his new surroundings.

With the guidance of the coaching staff and the support of his teammates, Vicario has the potential to excel in the Premier League. It will be important for him to continue working on his handling from shots and ensure that he reduces the number of rebounds he gives away. By addressing these areas of improvement, he can further enhance his goalkeeping skills and cement his place as Tottenham’s number one.

Overall, Tottenham’s pursuit of Guglielmo Vicario is a calculated gamble with the potential for great rewards. If he can rise to the challenge and perform consistently at the highest level, he could prove to be an excellent long-term investment for the club. As with any transfer, there are risks involved, but Vicario’s skill set and potential make him an exciting prospect for Tottenham’s future.