Tottenham: 'Switch has flicked' for £26m star at Hotspur Way | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur right-back Emerson Royal has seen a 'switch' starting to 'flick' after his positive recent performances for the club, transfer insider Dean Jones has informed GIVEMESPORT.

The Brazilian has been questioned by many fans and pundits alike since his £26 million move to Spurs from Barcelona last summer but may be starting to prove them wrong with his form of late.

Tottenham latest news - Emerson Royal

On deadline day, Tottenham completed a deal to sign Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon for an initial loan fee of £5 million, as reported by Sky Sports News.

In the summer, the move will become permanent as there is a £39.5 million obligation to buy inserted into his agreement. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a fine spell in for the Portuguese giants in 2022/23, scoring three goals and laying on 11 assists in 26 appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

Despite his arrival, Emerson Royal has excelled in recent weeks in Antonio Conte's famed wing-back role and was preferred to start against Premier League champions Manchester City last weekend in what was a crucial 1-0 victory for Spurs in their quest for a top-four finish.

In the crunch clash, the 5ft 11in ace was able to keep Jack Grealish quiet for the entirety of proceedings and offered a keen threat down the right flank when afforded the opportunity to do so. Some suggestions have mooted that Emerson Royal will be aware of competition for his place in the side, creating an exciting battle between himself and Porro for the starting position of right wing-back.

What has Dean Jones said about Emerson Royal?

Transfer insider Jones believes that the stars may have aligned for Emerson Royal in the 'perfect moment' concerning his solid displays.

Jones told GMS: "The switch has flicked for him and he's just starting to understand his role and got himself to the perfect moment; it's not a bad thing at all for Tottenham to have this kind of competition."

What are Emerson Royal's stats this season?

Emerson Royal has played 25 times for Tottenham this season, managing to grab himself one goal and a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also details that the Brazil international has completed an average of 2.4 clearances per match in the Premier League this term, demonstrating his ability to deny goalscoring opportunities to the opposition attack in key phases of play.

Of course, there has been plenty of doubt over his future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the past, which will continue to exist in some quarters, as is the nature of football and its wide range of opinions.

Nevertheless, Spurs boss Conte will be satisfied with his displays over the last few weeks and will hope that both Emerson Royal and Porro raise their game to be selected to start for his outfit between now and the end of the season.