Spurs’ Brad Friedel slams Fabien Barthez on Twitter

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel has reacted to comments from former Manchester United stopper Fabien Barthez who told a French newspaper he found it “incomprehensible” that the American was Spurs’ first choice, ahead of Barthez’s compatriot Hugo Lloris.

Friedel took to twitter to respond: "Just saw Barthez comments. I normally don't comment but when disrespected by someone I don't respect I must.”

As one of the longest serving goalkeepers in the Premier League – notching up 468 appearances over a career spanning 18 years, playing for Newcastle United, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and now Spurs as well as making 82 performance for the United States nation side – Friedel felt aggrieved by the Frenchman’s comments.

"Barthez was ignorant, disrespectful and out of order to mention my name," he continued, clearly offended by the off-hand remarks. Barthez had been praising the current French number 1, and had seemingly been caught off-guard when he spoke out of turn.

"Lloris is one of the five best goalkeepers in the world," Barthez, who made 139 appearances for Manchester United, told the reporter,

"He is faster than Friedel, he jumps higher and he is very strong mentally. What is happening now is incomprehensible, but I'm not concerned. He will become the centre-piece of the club.” Barthez, who played against Friedel on a number of occasions, may live to regret his comments, as it seems Lloris will have his work cut out if he hopes to dislodge the American from between the sticks at White Hart Lane.

But Barthez placed his faith in his former colleague "Hugo is a calm guy, a good worker. Tottenham will not let him stay on the bench for a long time."

Spurs face QPR on Sunday, following their 0-0 draw in midweek to Italian side Lazio in the Europa League. Boss Andre Villas-Boas’ side have yet to find their form in the league – recording only their first win of the season away to Reading last weekend.

Jenny Leigh

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Jennifer is a freelance writer and filmmaker from London with a great passion for football - the game, the business, and the culture. Jennifer hopes to provide readership with a high standard of news, analysis, and opinion over a range of football events, stories, and issues.