Jose Mourinho's decision to bring Joe Hart to Tottenham last month certainly raised a few eyebrows in north London.
With it looking likely that one of Brandon Austin or Alfie Whiteman would step up following Michel Vorm's summer exit, the 33-year-old signed a two-year deal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hart is not just at the club to be third choice and Mourinho's recent selections may hint that he will be Hugo Lloris' deputy going forward instead of Paulo Gazzaniga.
Brought off the bench before the Argentine in the team's first two friendlies of pre-season, the ex-Man City man then got the nod to start in the following games against Birmingham City and Watford.
Asked about the arrival of Hart when speaking to Joe in an exclusive interview, Mourinho dropped another hint that the new arrival may be second in command as he will give Lloris the "hard competition" that the Lilywhites need.
"Joe is one of the top goalkeepers of the last decade in the country. He started very early, playing in a big club like City and playing for the national team. 75 caps, so he has all the experience," said the head coach.
"I think a negative episode a few years ago marked his career for the past three or four years, because it's not easy to leave a champion club and then go into clubs of another dimension.
"So now he has the chance to be back to a club like us.
"Of course, Hugo is our captain. Hugo is the world champion captain. He's a phenomenal goalkeeper and very important in our group but I think Joe will give him the hard competition that we need."
Spurs start the new season on Sunday with a tricky home game against Everton.
The 2019/20 campaign only came to an end a few weeks ago due to the coronavirus pandemic and Mourinho has opened up on the struggles facing all clubs because of the quick turnaround.
"I think it's a real struggle but I think it's the same for everybody, so we can't say we have this problem and the other clubs that are competing against us are in a privileged situation. It's the same for everybody," he added.
"Also, the national team. Two matches the week before the Premier League starts is something really, really complicated for all of us.
"But as I was saying, it's for all of us so it's difficult for all and we have to adapt."
