While Italy was smitten, the jury was still out in England. Could Guglielmo Vicario, the new guy with the gloves, really cut it for Tottenham Hotspur?
Former Spurs sports honcho Fabio Paratici had his share of critics, but when it came to talent-spotting, he was a veritable oracle. He’d been eyeing Vicario, the 27-year-old keeper, for quite some time and had no qualms about snagging him.
Paratici has always preached the gospel of not just scouting the athlete, but also the man behind the jersey. It’s all about deciphering the personality DNA to predict whether a player will click with the team, progress in skill, and generally just kill it. This ideology was pivotal in the signing of Vicario.
His one-time mentor at Empoli, Paolo Zanetti, waxed poetic: “Look, if he’s not the best, he’s certainly a podium finisher. Plus, the guy’s as humble as they come. He’s got the kind of cocktail of talent and modesty that could make him a household name.”
Having dribbled through pretty much every tier of Italian football, Vicario has been a human sponge, soaking up lessons at every turn. “During my early pro days in Venezia, fans called me Tegoina, meaning green bean in Venetian dialect. Why? I was tall, skinny, and ironically dressed in green,” Vicario shared.
The man knew he had to up his game physically. Enter Massimo Lotti, the goalkeeper guru at Tottenham, who helped him pump up his muscles and hone his reflexes faster than you can say ‘goal.’
Why Vicario Is Dubbed the ‘Goalkeeping Virtuoso’
Upon his stint at Perugia, Vicario was handed the starting gloves and quickly became the squad’s MVP while simultaneously bonding with fans. During the pandemic, he even took part in a club outreach program, making calls to season ticket holders. One such call turned viral when he spent most of the time convincing a skeptical elderly man that it really was him, Perugia’s number one. So yeah, Vicario wasn’t just a fan favorite; he was a humanitarian champ too.
The keeper’s big break in Serie A came with Empoli in 2021, and he seized the moment to sharpen his ball-handling skills under the tutelage of coach Aurelio Andreazzoli. By season’s end, he had pulled off more saves than any other keeper in the league.
Under Zanetti last season, Vicario orchestrated a jaw-dropping triple save against Roma that left even the ‘Special One’, Jose Mourinho, in awe. Mourinho later confessed, “Trying to score against Vicario felt like attempting to crack the Da Vinci Code.”
No longer the lanky Tegoina, he now goes by Venom, as dubbed by DAZN. The rationale? His utter immersion in every match. He admires former Inter goalie Samir Handanovic’s communication skills and rates Thibaut Courtois as the current world’s best for his sheer “brilliance.” But his hero-worship for Gianluigi Buffon remains; he even sleeps in Buffon’s jersey.
As for being Italy’s next great goalkeeper, the endorsements have been rolling in. Soccer legends like Dino Zoff and Gianluigi Buffon have poured accolades, confirming Vicario as a hot commodity in the transfer market. Even Gianluca Pagliuca quipped, “If Inter can offload [Andre] Onana at a juicy price and get Vicario, that’s a sweet deal.”
Presently, Vicario is outdoing Onana, whom Inter did sell to Manchester United, by boasting the Premier League’s highest save percentage at 78.6%. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou believes it was all but written in the stars: “Once I spoke to him, I knew he’d mesh well with our squad because he came here not to show off, but to be the best version of himself.”
Vicario remains uncapped by Italy but has won the popular vote to succeed Euro 2020 winner Gianluigi Donnarumma as Italy’s go-to man between the sticks. In a recent poll by Gazzetta dello Sport, a resounding 68% picked him as their choice.
Above all, Vicario remains grounded, crediting his family for his emotional balance. “I’m an only child, lavished with love,” he says, adding that his family even sheltered a Ukrainian family post-Russian invasion, underlining what truly counts.
While Italian soccer titans and even Bayern Munich were lining up for Vicario, it was the lure of Tottenham that made his heart race. “The second I heard Tottenham was an option, I would have signed in pig’s blood and hiked here from Italy,” he said emphatically.
Arriving in England fluent in English, his first query to Spurs manager Postecoglou was about who’d be coaching him in goalkeeping—because that relationship, in his book, is the linchpin for any future triumphs.
Currently aiding Tottenham to a blistering start this Premier League season—they’re top of the table after 10 games—Vicario is hailed as Italy’s best goalkeeper. And who knows, maybe soon enough, kids will be sleeping in jerseys with Vicario’s name on it.
Mina Rzouki, a seasoned European football journalist, pens this for Sport News Center this season. Got burning questions on European football? Drop them below, and Mina will tackle a handful in her upcoming columns.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Guglielmo Vicario: The Complete Tottenham Hotspur Goalkeeper
What makes Guglielmo Vicario a “complete goalkeeper”?
Guglielmo Vicario has shown exceptional skill in various aspects of goalkeeping, from technique and instinct to positioning. His ball-playing ability has been honed under different coaches, and he has the highest save percentage in the Premier League. He has also shown a unique blend of skill and humility that makes him a complete package both on and off the field.
Who is Vicario’s goalkeeping idol?
Vicario looks up to Gianluigi Buffon as his goalkeeping hero. He even mentioned that when he goes back home to Udine, he sleeps with Buffon’s shirt on.
How did Vicario build a relationship with fans during the Covid pandemic?
During the pandemic, Guglielmo Vicario would call season ticket holders to check in on them as part of a club initiative. One specific call even made headlines, as Vicario spent time convincing an elderly fan that it was indeed him on the line, not a prank. This human touch endeared him further to the fanbase.
What did Vicario’s former coach at Empoli, Paolo Zanetti, say about him?
Paolo Zanetti praised Vicario as among the top three goalkeepers and highlighted his humility and skill. Zanetti believes that this blend of attributes could take Vicario far in his career.
What is the significance of Vicario’s nickname “Tegoina”?
The nickname “Tegoina” was given to him by fans during his early professional days at Venezia. In Venetian dialect, “Tegoina” refers to the green bean, signifying Vicario’s tall and wiry build and his tendency to wear green during matches.
Why did Vicario choose to sign with Tottenham Hotspur?
Vicario was keen on moving to Tottenham Hotspur and did not listen to offers from other clubs. He was so committed to the opportunity that he mentioned he “would’ve signed in blood and come on foot from Italy.”
What’s the status of Vicario in the Italian national team?
As of now, Vicario has been called up by the Italian national team but has yet to earn his first cap. However, he is increasingly becoming the popular choice to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma as Italy’s number one, according to a poll run by Gazzetta dello Sport.
How did Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou describe Vicario’s fit in the team?
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said Vicario fit into the team perfectly. He didn’t come to Tottenham trying to prove a point but aimed to be the best goalkeeper he could possibly be, a trait that Postecoglou greatly admires.
Who are other goalkeepers Vicario looks up to, aside from Buffon?
Vicario draws inspiration from Samir Handanovic, Inter’s former goalkeeper, and considers Thibaut Courtois as the best keeper in the world currently for his “genius.”
Where did Vicario stand in Serie A in terms of saves?
In his first season at Empoli, Vicario made more saves than any other goalkeeper in Serie A, showcasing his talent and ability to perform under pressure.
More about Guglielmo Vicario: The Complete Tottenham Hotspur Goalkeeper
- Guglielmo Vicario’s Career Stats
- Tottenham Hotspur Official Website
- Gianluigi Buffon’s Influence on Modern Goalkeepers
- Premier League Goalkeeping Stats
- An Interview with Spurs Manager Ange Postecoglou
- Italian National Team Roster
- Empoli FC Official Website
- Gazzetta dello Sport Poll on Italy’s Next Goalkeeper
- Paolo Zanetti’s Take on Modern Goalkeepers
- Samir Handanovic’s Career Highlights
- Thibaut Courtois’ Genius Explained
10 comments
From Venezia to Spurs, Vicario’s journey has been a rollercoaster. Can’t wait to see where this ride takes us next.
Venom, huh? Wonder if he’s a Marvel fan or its just DAZN being clever. Either way, the nickname’s cool.
Buffon’s shirt? Lol I’m sure his gf loves that. Vicario, you’re a legend mate.
78.6% save percentage is crazy good. If this keeps up, we might just win the league. #COYS
who needs superheroes when you’ve got Vicario? The guy’s literally saving everything lol.
Spoke to Postecoglou, eh? Wonder what kinda analytics theyre using to bring out Vicario’s full potential. Or maybe it’s just good old intuition.
Is it just me or does Vicario actually make goalkeeping look cool? Like, seriously, the guy’s a blend of old school grit and new age flair.
Such a heartwarming story, calling season ticket holders during the pandemic. shows character, not just skill.
Man, Vicario is an absolute beast in goal. never thought I’d see the day when I wouldn’t miss Lloris. keep it up, Guglielmo!
As an Italian, so proud to see Vicario shining in the Prem. He’s got that Buffon-level composure. Next stop, national team no.1?