Former Italy goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani has praised Guglielmo Vicario’s ‘bravery’ but has urged him to calm down or risk antagonising his teammates.
Vicario has proven a huge success since joining Tottenham Hotspur from Empoli in the summer of 2023.
The 28-year-old has so far played 49 times across all competitions, keeping 11 clean sheets and averaging 2.14 saves per 90 minutes in the Premier League.
Vicario’s form has been rewarded this year with his first three caps for the senior Italian national team, featuring in games against Ecuador, Turkey and Israel.
Despite being a lesser-known goalkeeper upon his arrival in north London, Vicario has now firmly established himself as one of the strongest stoppers in the Premier League.
Marchegiani has been full of praise for how he’s adjusted to English football and his bravery in taking that big step.
“He is a goalkeeper I really like and he showed bravery in making the move to a very complicated division like the Premier League. It helped him grow and he also did well to immediately prove he was up to the task,” the former Lazio, Torino and Italy goalkeeper told Football Italia of Vicario.
“There was some confusion at first in Italy as to whether he could continue the performances at Empoli in a top club, but he proved at Tottenham that it was easy for him.
“I am glad to see Guglielmo work his way up from Serie D to the Premier League and Italy, which is rare for a goalkeeper to not be spotted earlier in his career. He did well not to let his head drop and realise dropping down some divisions was not a failure.”
Guglielmo Vicario urged to calm down
While Vicario has proven invaluable to Ange Postecoglou’s side, he does have a habit of losing his cool when berating teammates for a mistake.
Goalkeepers must, of course, be vocal but there is a fine line to be walked when it comes to commanding your defence or simply antagonising teammates.
Marchegiani believes this is one area where Vicario still needs to improve.
“I think that his perfectionism, the desire to constantly improve, is a bonus for a goalkeeper, but where he needs to improve is the way he expresses himself,” the 58-year-old observed.
“I understand this attitude can help pump him up, but at times he seems too agitated, too worried and too angry. In my view, a goalkeeper at a big club should be a calming presence.”
