Pundit predicts Tottenham will ‘bite the bullet and get rid’ of 23-year-old
Kevin Phillips believes that Tottenham Hotspur will cash in on Emerson Royal this summer, just 12 months after signing the right-back from Barcelona.
Emerson did show some promise when he featured as a right-back in a back four in his first few months at Tottenham under Nuno Espirito Santo.
However, the Brazilian has struggled to adapt to the right wing-back role since Antonio Conte took over at the North London club.
Over the last few weeks, the 23-year-old has lost his place in Tottenham’s starting eleven to Matt Doherty, who has shown he can offer more going forward.
Spanish publication Marca reported last week that Emerson could return to Spain this summer, with Atletico Madrid said to be interested in the defender.
Phillips believes that Conte will not have the patience to see whether the former Real Betis man can come good next season and insisted that Spurs will cut their losses on Emerson in the summer.
When asked if Tottenham will move Emerson on, the former Sunderland striker told Football Insider: “I think they will.
“I don’t think Conte or Tottenham have got time to wait to see if he can adjust. Conte will want to rebuild, he’ll want his own players in there.
“If that means selling Royal to free up a wage so he can get someone else in, I think that will happen.
“The board really have to back Conte if that’s his decision. He’s really struggled at Tottenham.
“They could wait for another season to see if he can turn things around. I’m sure the manager will want to bite the bullet and get rid, 100%.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I do feel sorry for Emerson as the Brazilian clearly was not signed to be a wing-back. Unfortunately, I do not think the 23-year-old has the attributes to adapt to the role and so, Spurs have little choice but to cash in on him in the summer as Conte is unlikely to change his tried and tested system.
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