Paul Robinson would not be surprised if Tottenham cash in on Emerson Royal at the end of the season, backing the club to bring a new right-back through the door in the summer.
After a poor start to his Tottenham career, Emerson managed to win over the Spurs fan base with his impressive displays in the second half of last season.
This campaign, the Brazilian has been an understudy to Pedro Porro, with the Spaniard making the inverted right-back position his own, arguably being one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers since Ange Postecoglou arrived through the door.
Emerson filled in impressively at centre-back when Spurs were dealing with an injury crisis a couple of months ago but questions have been raised about whether he offers enough as the inverted full-back role.
After his disappointing showing in Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Wolves a week and a half ago Football.London’s Alasdair Gold suggested that the Lilywhites might be forced to enter the market in the summer for a more adequate cover for Porro.
Is it time for Emerson Royal to move on?
That is an assertion that Robinson agrees with, remarking that the North London club might be inclined to accept any offer that comes their way from Saudi Arabia for the former Real Betis star.
When asked if Tottenham will want to upgrade on Emerson, the former Spurs goalkeeper told Tottenham News: “Yeah I think they will, those are the areas that they’ll look at. Emerson Royal has been outstanding at times this season when he’s been deployed as a centre-half, and sometimes as a holding midfielder later on in games, and at right-back.
“There were times last season where he was susceptible for a lot of goals. He was targeted, he was really poor. But this year under Ange, with the way that they play, he’s come onto a level where he’s been really good this season. Can he do it constantly over a longer period of time? Will [Postecoglou] look for a better option? [Pedro] Porro and [Destiny] Udogie are his first-choice full-backs.
“Whether Emerson Royal leaves the club, we know that there was a bid from Saudi in the January window so if that comes back again and the club decides to cash in they could look to strengthen in those areas. Ange will be given a free hand to manipulate and mould his squad how he sees fit, and he’s earned the right to do that.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Among Davies and Emerson, the latter appears much more likely to be sold in the summer, with the Welshman offering more versatility despite his technical shortcomings. I expect Spurs to sign a young, energetic right-back to compete with Porro next season.