Jose Mourinho insists Hugo Lloris is the real leader in the Tottenham squad, despite a number of calls for Harry Kane to be appointed captain.
Lloris, who skippered France to World Cup glory in 2018, has played 317 games for Spurs since arriving from Lyon in 2012 and was first handed the armband by Mauricio Pochettino back in 2015.
A number of questions have been asked of the 33-year-old's form over the past couple of seasons, however, with many arguing - following Lloris' elbow injury in November - that substitute goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga should have retained his place in the starting XI.
There have also been calls for England captain Kane to take over the duties he carries out with the national team at club level.
However, Lloris showed his worth with an exquisite save as Tottenham restarted their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Friday night.
And with no fans present in the stadium, Lloris' voice was heard constantly throughout the match - something not often associated with the Frenchman in the past.
Mourinho confirmed that this is nothing new, however, insisting Lloris is simply now able to communicate more easily.
Asked whether the goalkeeper is the real leader in the squad, Mourinho told reporters at his pre-West Ham press conference: "Yeah. He's now in a privileged position because now the communication is much easier.
"I believe, I'm sure that his level of communication is exactly the same as every match in his career, but he's used to struggling for his voice to be heard. In this moment every word you say is very easy.
"Of course I always believe a goalkeeper is a good leader, and a good captain, independent of that, I always knew that a goalkeeper looking at a game in a fantastic position, to organise and be a little bit an extension of the coach, especially in the defensive organisation.
"So if we can get something positive out of the negativity of an empty stadium, of communicating."
