GiveMeSport
·24 September 2022
GiveMeSport
·24 September 2022
Tottenham Hotspur star Emerson Royal ‘might be a little concerned’ after he lost his place in Antonio Conte’s starting line-up for the clash with Leicester City, but he is set to be handed more opportunities at Hotspur Way, according to journalist Paul Brown.
Spurs have made a strong start to the campaign and headed into the international break sitting just one point adrift of Premier League table-toppers Arsenal, with Royal playing a key role.
Royal would have gone into the new term fearing that his playing time would be limited after Tottenham agreed a £20million deal to sign Djed Spence from Championship side Middlesbrough during the summer.
However, the Brazilian made the right wing-back slot his own during the early stages of the season, starting the opening eight fixtures.
Royal’s lengthy run in the first XI came to an end when Ivan Perisic, who joined as a free agent following the expiry of his Inter Milan in July, shifted into the position for the 6-2 win over Leicester City last weekend.
Although a host of team-mates have been called up by their respective countries for the international break, Royal – who made the move to Spurs from Barcelona for close to £26million last year – has remained at Hotspur Way after failing to make the Brazil squad.
Head coach Conte is expected to work with the 23-year-old on his attacking capabilities while the training complex has far fewer personnel.
Brown believes Royal would have expected to eventually drop from the starting XI due to the need for Conte to rotate his options.
Although the journalist feels the seven-cap Brazil international will be worried after being made to contend with a substitute outing against Leicester, he is confident Royal has plenty more game-time to look forward to after the international break.
Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “I think there will be a lot of rotation in both of those wing-back areas.
“I think Emerson Royal will get plenty of chances because Spurs are in Europe and they have a lot of games coming up. He might be a little concerned right now, but I think he will still get in the team.”
1 of 10
2017 2018 2019 2020
Other than Perisic and Spence, Matt Doherty is another option for Tottenham boss Conte down the right flank.
However, the Irishman has been limited to just eight minutes of action since the season got underway last month, while his last Premier League outing came on the opening day.
Conte has revealed Doherty has been ‘struggling’ after picking up a serious injury during the latter stages of the 2021/22 campaign, but he is likely to be offered more opportunities when domestic football returns.