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I'm just going to come out and say it – Hugo Lloris is probably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League right now.

All the talk seems to be about the likes of David de Gea, Thibaut Courtois and even Tom bloody Heaton, but the Frenchman has been brilliant again this season.

Despite injuries to their three best defenders this season, Spurs have conceded the fewest amount of goals in the Premier League this campaign – one fewer than the injury free league leaders, Chelsea.

So why is Lloris excluded from the discussion about the league's best? It's simple, he made the fatal mistake of choosing to play for Tottenham Hotspur.

(Image: Alex Morton/Getty Images)

The Spurs captain once again showed his brilliance over the weekend as he kept a clean sheet against a dangerous Stoke side.

Looking at the final score of 4-0 may make it seem like it was plain sailing for Lloris at White Hart Lane, but that's just proof of how effective he is.

Things could easily have been so different but for a world-class save from Lloris 23 minutes into the game.

As the ball came in from the left wing, former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch looked certain to level the scores as he blasted it goalwards from point-blank range. But the Spurs keeper instinctively stuck out a foot and not only prevented a goal, but re-directed the ball away from danger.

But the thing is, such saves are practically routine for the 30-year- old. Earlier in the season he salvaged a Champions League point for his side against Bayer Leverkusen with one of the most ridiculous saves I have ever seen.

(Image: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

No words can do it justice, so just watch it for yourself.

That is, quite frankly, the stuff of legend.

Or at least it would be if pundits and rival fans alike weren't so reluctant to celebrate Spurs players unless they can use it as an excuse to overhype the English national team, as they do with Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

How is it that Petr Cech can be discussed as one of the league's best keepers when he has apparently forgotten the he has a near post to protect too, but the captain of the stingiest defence in the country doesn't get more than a cursory look in?

And it's no mistake that Lloris is Tottenham's captain, as he is the one who marshals the Spurs defence. He takes on far more responsibility than David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois but gets less credit for it.

While De Gea might be flashier and Courtois has more clean sheets, both are playing in systems far more beneficial to a goalkeeper.

Manchester United's conservative approach means oppositions' attacks are far more ponderous and give De Gea more time to react. Mourinho's side average half a goal a game less than Spurs, and yet Lloris has conceded three fewer goals than De Gea in the league this season having played one game more.

(Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Chelsea play a similar style to Spurs in that their attacking nature leaves them open to counter-attacks where opposing forwards can isolate the keeper in one-on- ones, but Courtois has had the luxury of the same defensive line in front of him all season – and still he cannot organise them to defend set pieces properly.

Look, Lloris is not perfect. His footwork is still inconsistent and – like any keeper – he can make mistakes from time to time.

But he's proven time and time again that he is not only among the league's elite, he might just be the best damn keeper in the entire country right now.