Tottenham’s risk-taking, attacking style pursued by Mauricio Pochettino deserves to be rewarded with a trophy, says Hugo Lloris.
And the Frenchman says next month's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United is a chance for the Pochettino’s side to show they are ready "to step up a level" in their ambition to go toe-to-toe with Europe's biggest clubs.
Spurs tumbled out of the Champions League against Juventus, conceding two goals in three minutes at Wembley Stadium on March 7.
But a top-four finish in the Premier League, which would secure Champions League football and revenues next season, remains attainable, with the trip to Chelsea following the international break the ideal chance to take a step closer.
Though Lloris admitted silverware is needed to spur the club’s progress. Tottenham's trophy-less spell stretches back to its League Cup victory over Chelsea in 2008, four years before the France international joined the club in 2012.
“We want a trophy because I think we deserve a trophy,” Lloris told The Associated Press.
"It's just because we play so attractive football. I think people enjoy the way we play because we are a very positive team with a lot of energy. The way we play football is a bit risky but we create a lot of chances."
With Manchester City running away with the Premier League title, the FA Cup is the last trophy opportunity this season for both Tottenham and Manchester United. The winner of that semi-final will meet either Chelsea or Southampton in the final.
Lloris identified the match as another step towards Tottenham's goal — shared, he said, by the chairman, manager and senior players — of narrowing the gap with Europe's top teams.
"We need to step up a level every time that we can and we still have a good opportunity with the cup," he said.
"We have all the same ambition, just to win something and try to put this club at the highest level in football," Lloris added. "I think we are going in the right way. We need to win trophies, obviously, but step by step we will arrive. We have no doubt about that."
