Emerson Royal must be given chance to reignite Tottenham career v Brighton after news this week
Cristian Romero’s injury is a disaster for most people associated with Tottenham, except for Emerson Royal, who has now been handed a golden opportunity.
Ange Postecoglou’s side travel to the south coast on Thursday (28 December) for a clash with Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
They will be looking for their fourth consecutive Premier League win but will have to do it without star defender Romero.
Postecoglou confirmed in his pre-match press conference ahead of the showdown with Roberto De Zerbi’s men that the Argentina international defender is the latest player to join an ever-growing list of injured stars at Hotspur Way.
In quotes shared by Fabrizio Romano via his official X platform (27 December), Postecoglou told the media, “Romero had a scan and he’s got a hamstring strain. We’re looking at four to five weeks with him.”
Ben Davies will be expected to start his eighth consecutive match as Spurs’ left-sided central defender, with the question being who will take Romero’s place and play alongside the Wales international.
There are two realistic options – Eric Dier and Emerson. While Dier is the natural centre-back, Emerson’s performance last time out proves that he deserves to keep his place.
Spurs saw off an in-form Everton side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 23 December, winning 2-1, and with their attack not firing on all cylinders, they largely had their rear guard to thank for the three points.
Emerson, deputising for the suspended Destiny Udogie at left-back, was the player who stood out among the back four.
As per Sofascore, the Brazil international won 12 of his 14 ground duels, and made five clearances, five tackles and eight interceptions, while he also won 100% of his aerial duels.
Going forward, he completed 91 per cent of his passes, with one of those being key, created one big chance, and succeeded with the one dribble which he attempted.
Meanwhile, the last time Dier started a match for Tottenham, he was largely at fault for what proved to be a hugely disappointing defeat.
With Micky van de Ven and Romero both absent, the Englishman was named in the starting lineup against Wolves at Molineux on 11 November, where Spurs conceded two late goals as they let a 1-0 lead slip to lose 2-1.
Throughout the majority of the match, Dier was relatively assured. He made five clearances, and two tackles, won both of his ground duels and completed 94 per cent of his passes.
However, in the dying moments of the match, he demonstrated why he cannot be trusted.
With the score level, and just seconds left to play, Wolves mounted one last attack. Second-half substitute and goalscorer Pablo Sarabia picked up the ball on the right and spotted the run of Mario Lemina through the middle.
Despite having a clear view of Lemina’s run from a relatively early point in the build-up to the goal, Dier failed to get goalside and just watched as the midfielder ran past him and guided the ball into the net to send the home support into dreamland.
Although some blame must be placed on the doorstep of Davies, who had been caught ball-watching, Dier’s view of the situation and failure to react, acting almost as a training cone, is hard to ignore.
Emerson is still just 24, and could yet prove to be a useful asset for Spurs and Postecoglou in the years to come. It would therefore be much more beneficial to start the Brazillian and offer him a chance to prove he is worthy of a place in the Australian’s squad, rather than starting a 29-year-old with six months left on his contract in north London.
In other Tottenham news, Jamie O’Hara is right to criticise one “weak” 25 per cent Spurs ace.