Tottenham legend tells Conte to test current attacker at right-wing-back

Graham Roberts has suggested that Lucas Moura could do a job for Tottenham as a right wing-back in Antonio Conte’s system.

While Tottenham managed to seal the capture of Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur on transfer deadline day, the club were unable to sign a new right wing-back in January.

That certainly was not through a lack of a trying as Adama Traore, who was reported to be their first choice target, snubbed them in favour of a move to Barcelona (Mirror).

Spurs are also thought to have been knocked back by Atletico in their efforts to sign Yannick Carrasco (David Ornstein) while the Lilywhites allegedly had an offer of £12m plus add ons for Djed Spence turned down by Middlesbrough (90 min).

A right wing-back is expected to be a priority for Spurs in the summer, with Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey expected to be a target for Conte’s men (Evening Standard).

Roberts has now suggested that Moura could do a job in the position until the end of the season given the attributes that the Brazilian possesses.

Spurs Web Opinion

There are a couple of reasons why I do not think Conte is likely to try Lucas at right wing-back. Firstly, I believe the Italian really values the Brazilian’s ability to hurt opposing defences in the middle and final third.

Secondly, while Lucas is good at defending from the front and pressing the opponents, the jury is out on whether he has the defensive awareness and nous to do a job in the defensive third.

As a wing-back, he would be required to be a little conservative and show the opponent down the line since he would not have too much cover behind him. That means that he cannot look to pinch the ball aggressively as he does in forward areas.

I am a little more surprised that Conte has not considered Bergwijn for one of the two wing-back roles. The Dutchman strikes me as being much more defensively composed and more coachable than Lucas.

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