Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed Antonio Conte wants to improve several areas of his Tottenham Hotspur team – and has suggested he has not been impressed with Emerson Royal’s lack of form since joining Spurs in the summer.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that right wing-back is an area that Conte will be keen to strengthen, especially after the Brazilian’s nightmare display on Wednesday during their 3-2 defeat to Southampton.
He said: “It’s another position that Antonio Conte wants to improve in his team right now. I’m not too sure he’s a total fan of Emerson Royal since his arrival from Barcelona last summer.”
Football.London reported that the former Barcelona man’s performance ‘included mistakes’ and ‘lacked the quality that is required’, so it appears that Conte would not be alone in his negative assessment of the summer signing.
TIF Thoughts on Conte potentially opting to sign a new right wing-back…
It is no secret that Conte has opted for a formation with wing-backs wherever he has been across Europe, and they are key to the way he wants to play.
Therefore, if the quality in these areas is not good enough, then the system will not be optimised to the way that he demands.
Emerson Royal, who is valued at £22.5 million (as per Transfermarkt), struggled to find his form since signing from Barcelona, which has led O’Rourke to believe that he will replaced in the summer.
It could be labelled as harsh if Conte is on the hunt for his replacement because Royal is still just 23 years old and is adapting to playing in a new country.
However, the Spurs boss did not actually sign Royal, as he arrived under Conte’s predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo. Therefore, it may just be a case of not suiting the Italian’s style and a move elsewhere could be beneficial for both parties.