Exclusive - Thorstvedt: 'I don't understand Spurs signing Friedel'

Erik Thorstvedt has questioned Tottenham’s summer signing of Brad Friedel – and backed Huerelho Gomes to remain the club’s No.1.

The former Spurs stopper admits he is baffled by his old club’s transfer policy this summer, and says he expected them to be in the market for a big name striker.

But it’s the recruitment of Friedel from Aston Villa that has really left the former Norwegian keeper puzzled.

He told talkSPORT: “I didn’t quite understand the Brad Friedel signing. If you need a third goalie and he’s free and available then fair enough, but he’s over 40? It would be a strange thing for Tottenham to buy a new No.1 who is already over 40.

“I would definitely go with Gomes [as first choice]. I’m a big fan of his, he does so many great things. Last season was not his best - he made some big mistakes, glaring mistakes - and you want a goalie who doesn’t make many mistakes and that the defence can trust.

“But he also does some incredible things. He’s still a top, top goalkeeper and I think the defenders still have lots of faith in him.”

Thorstvedt also admits he is surprised Harry Redknapp has not splashed out for the top striker who would guarantee him 20 goals a season.

He added: “I was expecting Spurs to sell a couple of strikers and buy an expensive big name. I like the strikers they’ve got but they didn’t score many goals last season.”