Emerson Royal surely leaves Ange Postecoglou reeling after ‘careless’ 4-2 loss v Brighton
Tottenham are in something of a defensive crisis right now and that was further compounded after Emerson Royal’s “careless” display against Brighton on Thursday (28 December).
A superb display from the Seagulls on the south coast saw them overcome Ange Postecoglou’s team with a resounding 4-2 win in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium.
Spurs dominated the early proceedings in the match but the hosts when on to run riot until after goals two goals from Joao Pedro, Jack Hinshelwood and a Pervis Estupinan stunner.
Postecoglou’s men delivered a late surge in the closing 15 minutes after goals from summer signing Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies but it was all too little too late for them as they missed the chance to go back into the Premier League top four, sitting a point behind Manchester City who are in fourth.
Well before Thursday’s encounter, Postecoglou suffered yet another hammer injury blow to his squad when he confirmed on Wednesday (27 December) that Argentinian defender Cristian Romero will be out for up to five weeks.
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.”
Romero joins the likes of James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ivan Perisic and impressive summer signing and defensive partner Micky van de Ven on the treatment table which has left the Australian coach deploying square pegs in round holes at centre-back.
While Davies has grabbed the acclaim in the role in van de Ven’s absence, the same can’t be said for Brazilian full-back Royal who looked completely lost and as Amazon Prime pundit and co-commentator Andy Townsend put it live on air (28 December, 8:52 pm), completely “careless” after giving a cheap ball away in his own half.
Royal looked his best against Everton last time out.
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 per cent 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.
Given the rumours surrounding his immediate future at the club, that performance certainly looked to have shown that he still holds crucial value for Postecoglou beyond the January window.
However, just a few days later the Brazilian looked like a player on his last legs as a Tottenham player. With senior star Eric Dier sitting on the bench, Postecoglou’s decision to start Royal at centre-back now looks a complete disaster.
As per SofaScore, Royal’s stats don’t make for particularly bad reading. The former Real Betis defender won 50 per cent of his total duels, completed 92 per cent of his passes, and recorded three clearances.
He also won six tackles but when looking at his overall display, he simply could not live with Brighton forwards Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck as they ran rings around him all night.
There was also one instance where he gave the ball away carelessly which led to a Seagulls chance with Townsend scathing him live on air as a result of his mistake.
It was a display which will surely leave Postecoglou reeling at his pre-match decision and that has certainly gotta be the last time Tottenham fans see Royal playing at centre-back again.
It is costly and criminal considering Postecoglou’s brilliant standards and despite their current injury crisis.
In other Tottenham news, one 83 per cent Spurs ace proved key for the club during the win against Everton on Saturday.