Tottenham: Emerson Royal summer exit now expected as Ange Postecoglou looks to rejuvenate squad
Emerson Royal could be one of the players Tottenham look to move on this summer when Ange Postecoglou looks to rejuvenate his squad, according to Paul Robinson.
The 25-year-old Brazilian has been a useful option this season, often filling in at centre-back when Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been unavailable.
But his preferred right-back position has been occupied by Pedro Porro, who has been one of Spurs’ best performers under Ange Postecoglou this season.
As such, former Spurs keeper Robinson – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – thinks the former Barcelona man might be shipped out in the summer providing a suitable replacement can be found.
“I think if you’d have asked me that question about Emerson Royal this time last year, I’d have said they’ll probably take the first bid and they’ll drive him there their selves,” he said.
“I think he was susceptible for too many goals conceded, too many chances down his side and I think when he played down the right as right back and Eric Dier played there as well, I think that’s what teams targeted down that right-hand side.
“I think this year he’s done extremely well, I think he’s had his best time in a Spurs shirt. Whether it be at right back, where I don’t know if it’s his best position, I think at centre-half he’s filled in excellently well.
“There are times this season when Spurs have played four full-backs across the back four. I think his attitude has improved more than anything under the new manager and I think you can praise the manager for that because there’s a lot of players at times last season you would have questioned attitudes and application and he was maybe one of them with his body language on the pitch.
“But I think this year under the new manager he looks a different player. He’s not Pedro Porro, he’s not at that level and I think you do notice when Pedro Porro doesn’t play.
“They’d have to get someone else in if they were going to let him go. I think he’s done well this season but can you rely on him consistently? If we lost Pedro Porro for six to eight weeks would you be comfortable with him playing that amount of time?
“Attacking wise absolutely with what he gives you going forward but the defensive susceptibility is still there.
“I think he may be a player they look to, when Ange looks to rejuvenate his squad, and there’s no point in changing your squad if you’re not bettering your squad so if there’s better out there that might be something like look at.”
Will Tottenham sell Emerson Royal in the summer transfer window?
Emerson has certainly proved his worth to the squad at times this season and his willingness to fill in at centre-back when injuries and suspensions have required it has been admirable.
But, realistically, if Spurs want to be contesting for the biggest honours on a consistent basis then they would not want Emerson to be playing regularly at full-back or at centre-back.
Porro has been superb at right-back, so that spot is not going to be available unless he’s injured or suspended.
And with Romero and Van de Ven fit, plus the signing of Radu Dragusin, he is unlikely to play too much at centre-back either. A summer sale seems the best solution.
In other Tottenham news, another big payday is on the cards amid a Postecoglou Celtic reunion.
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