Emerson Royal has picked Sadio Mane as the toughest player he has come up against in the Premier League so far.
Emerson has endured a challenging first season in English football since his move from Barcelona last summer, not only trying to adapt to the intensity of the league but also to the demands of playing as a wing-back in Antonio Conte’s system.
While the Brazilian did struggle initially, he has shown promising signs over recent weeks. The 23-year-old put in a particularly impressive performance in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier this month, being voted the Man of the Match for his display.
It was one of the players that he came up against in that game that Emerson rated as his most difficult opponent in the Premier League so far.
The Spurs right-back told Premier League’s YouTube Channel: “Mane, he’s so fast, so strong, so quick and skilful, it’s not often you get a player like that, with so much strength, speed and skill.”
Meanwhile, Lucas Moura picked former Spurs right-back, Kyle Walker, as the toughest player he has come up against during his time in England so far.
Moura said: “For me, he is Kyle Walker. He is very strong and quick as well.”
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Matt Doherty’s injury, which has allowed Emerson to have a run of starts under his belt over the last month and a half, might have ended up saving the 23-year-old’s Spurs career.
Even though I still do not think the Brazilian is suited to playing as a wing-back, his performances over recent weeks might convince Spurs to keep him around as a backup and cash in on Doherty in the summer.
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