Antonio Conte has admitted that Emerson Royal has made a "good improvement" to his game since last season. First-choice at right wing-back for a lot of the 2021/22 campaign before Matt Doherty nudged ahead of him in the pecking order, the Brazilian finished the season back in the side following the Irishman's knee injury.
Continuing in the team this term, Emerson has been an ever-present since the opening day and has so far contributed with one assist after teeing up Dejan Kulusevski against Southampton. Getting into good positions in Tuesday's Champions League defeat away at Sporting CP, the wing-back did have a three opportunities to score but he unfortunately failed to take them.
The attacking side of his game may let him down at times but the 23-year-old has clearly impressed Conte over the past few months. Maybe not a natural wing-back after operating as a full-back for his whole career up until the head coach's Tottenham arrival last November, Conte insists he is "really happy" with the player's performances.
