Journalist Michael Bridge has backed Tottenham Hotspur to go down the homegrown route in the summer in regards to signing a right wing-back.
Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty have shared the right wing-back role this season, with Emerson featuring regularly under Nuno Espirito Santo and Doherty being named more often in recent times under Antonio Conte.
The Brazilian defender signed for Spurs at the start of the season from Barcelona, but there have been reports that he will move on at the end of the campaign as he has struggled to get used to life in England. Meanwhile, Doherty has been a star man for Spurs in recent weeks, scoring two goals and notching three assists in his last seven Premier League games.
Should Emerson Royal be sold in the summer?Yes
No
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It was recently announced that Doherty will miss the rest of the season after he picked up an MCL injury against Aston Villa, and Bridge highlighted to GiveMeSport that Spurs will seek a new wing-back in the summer.
He said: “When I spoke to someone in February time, the line I got is that it would be someone younger, maybe homegrown again. I don’t know whether that will change due to Doherty’s injury, but I reckon they will go down the homegrown route on that one.”
TIF Thoughts on Michael Bridge’s comments…
Spurs currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League but are level on points with rivals Arsenal, with only goal difference separating them. The north London derby is set to take place next month and this could be a deciding game in the race for the top four.
In Conte’s current system, the wing-backs are vital, and Doherty has played the role excellently in recent weeks, including when he was awarded a 9.3 player rating against Everton when he provided two assists for his side. But due to the Irishman’s absence, Emerson has occupied that role, and he has failed to fill the boots of Doherty, as he was given a 6.5 player rating in Spurs’ recent loss against Brighton & Hove Albion (as per SofaScore).
With Doherty’s injury and Emerson being rumoured to leave the club in the summer, it will certainly be important for Conte to bring in cover at right wing-back in the next transfer window.