Darren Bent has expressed concern over whether fans are going to see the best of Matt Doherty in a Tottenham shirt since he is being asked to play as a full-back rather than a wing-back.
The Republic of Ireland international has been one of the stand-out players in his position since Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League, having been a constant threat down the right flank for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
Spurs fans will be hoping that the 28-year-old will able to make a similar impact once he settles in at North London.
Doherty admitted last month (Football.London) that he is still adapting to the defensive requirements of playing in a back four but Bent is not sure that the system suits him.
Speaking to Sportology TV, he said: “I always liked Matt Doherty when he was at Wolves, I thought he was a tremendous player.
“My only concern with that one was that we always saw the best of him when he played in a back three and he was a right wing-back.
“But, as a flat right-back, I’m not quite sure if we’re going to see the best of him.”
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However, the former Tottenham striker has far fewer doubts regarding Tottenham’s other full-back signing, Sergio Reguilon.
Bent admitted that he has been impressed with the energy levels the Spaniard has displayed in his first few matches.
He added: “Reguilon has been absolutely superb. He gets up and down with energy.
“He’s assisting, he’s always in the box looking to score and he can get himself back.”
Spurs Web Opinion
In Reguilon, Davies, Doherty and Aurier, Mourinho has four full-backs with very different attributes at his disposal and that gives him plenty of options. We have already shown tremendous tactical versatility this season, including playing with a back three as well as four.
Many Spurs fans seem to be convinced that our best team would feature a back four with Reguilon and Doherty as full-backs, with Hojbjerg, Ndombele and Lo Celso in midfield. I am not sure we will ever get to see that team.
The only way I can see Jose starting both Reguilon and Doherty is if we play a back three or if we have both Sissoko (or Winks) and Hojbjerg shielding the back four, as we had at Old Trafford.
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