Pundit suggests Conte could convert 29-year-old into right-wing-back

Martin Keown has claimed that Antonio Conte could use Lucas Moura as a right-wing-back at Tottenham in the weeks and months to come.

In his first two games as Tottenham boss, Conte has implemented a 3-4-3 and has used the same starting eleven.

The Italian has fielded a three-man defence of Eric Dier, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies, with Sergio Reguilon and Emerson Royal as his wing-backs.

The set-up worked to an extent on Sunday, with Spurs coming away with a clean sheet from Goodison Park but the North Londoners once again struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Conte admitted after the game that while he was pleased with the fight and desire his players showed, they needed to do better in the final third.

Keown has suggested one way that the 52-year-old could tweak the Spurs set-up is by moving Emerson to the right-centre-back role and employing Moura as the wing-back.

The former Arsenal defender wrote in his column for The Daily Mail: “Who he uses at right wing-back will be interesting.

“At Chelsea, Victor Moses went from being surplus to a regular starter. That included Cesar Azpilicueta being moved to the right of the back three.

“We could even see Lucas Moura at right wing-back and Emerson Royal as a central defender.

“We played with three at the back under Bruce Rioch at Arsenal and always had questions about it. It takes intelligence to implement.

“Thankfully for Tottenham, they’ve appointed a master at teaching players in double-quick time.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I think Emerson is an obvious candidate for the right-wing-back role given his tenacity, engine and ability on the ball.

However, I do think Conte could try Bergwijn in the left-wing-back role as the Dutchman is defensively more dependable than Moura.

I also think Reguilon makes too many mistakes in possession when put under pressure to be effective further up the field.

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