Emerson Royal is one player whose Tottenham future has a big question mark over his head. The defender is a popular member of the squad and has enjoyed his time at Spurs so far, since his move last summer.
However, with the wing-back competition ramping up and rumours already linking him away, his time in N17 could already be coming to an end. Royal made the move to the capital last summer, signing from Barcelona as a full-back under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The 23-year-old has struggled to adapt to the wing-back role that is so crucial in Antonio Conte's system and it has led to criticism and rumours of a potential exit. Royal made 31 Premier League appearances last season, with just two goal contributions.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said about Lucas Moura as a wing-back, Ben Davies injury and Perisic
He didn't have to battle for his starting spot after Matt Doherty's injury ruled him out for the final stretch of the season. The Brazilian did produce some decent performances, working hard down the right flank. and his defensive work is often solid.
But the attacking flair that is needed as a wing-back is missing from Royal's game and doesn't seem to be something that has improved, which his pre-season displays have shown. Doherty has also had his fair share of criticism previously but when he was fit, he showed great improvement under Conte and was making the required impact.
Ahead of the transfer window, Royal's future seemed uncertain, as selling him would've left the Italian with only Doherty to fulfil the right wing-back role. However, with the arrival of Djed Spence and experimenting with positions, that is no longer the case.
Spence became Tottenham's sixth signing of the summer and Conte's third option for a right wing-back. Earlier this year, the 52-year-old also revealed that Dejan Kulusevski could also play on the right flank.
"About Kulusevski, he's a good player. He’s very young. I think he’s a great talent. He can play as a No.9 if you want to play two strikers, No.10 if you want to play with two players behind the striker," Conte admitted.
"At the same time, he has the potential to play as a wing-back on the right. He has good quality. He likes to attack, he’s good one-v-one, he can create chances for his teammates. A good signing for us."
The last couple of pre-season friendlies have also seen Lucas Moura feature as a right wing-back. There was some talk last season of the Brazilian fulfilling that role, especially as he struggled for regular game time, after the arrival of Kulusevski.
Last week Conte discussed the possibility of the 29-year-old taking on the new role. "I spoke with Lucas and I think that this will be a good option for me and in the past I converted Perisic in that position. [Victor] Moses was the same. [Antonio] Candreva was the same. Before a winger and then to become a wing-back. For sure he has great quality Lucas and I think this could be a good option," the Italian explained.
"The most important thing is that the player has to be 100 per cent sure to do it, but he is available and Lucas Moura for us is a great resource because he can play in many role. He can play behind the striker, on the right, on the left, as a wing back. I'm very happy for his commitment for what I'm seeing in the training sessions and tonight I think he played a good game."
Moura is a versatile player and someone Conte can bring on and know he will give 100 per cent, bringing lots of energy to the game. There were some questions previously raised over the Brazilian's future at Tottenham, due to the lack of regular time on the pitch, but it seems as though Moura will remain in the capital for at least another year.
This means the 52-year-old effectively has four options at right wing-back, which he doesn't need and it would suggest one making the move away. This would more than likely be Royal given his form, as he yet again failed to make the attacking impact required during his first half performance at Ibrox.
The defender has been linked with a move to Spain or Italy, with reported interest from Atletico Madrid, AS Roma and Juventus. For the sake of his own career, it does seem like a move away for Royal would be most beneficial and Conte's use of Moura at right wing-back only confirms this further.
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