Matt Doherty is set to be sidelined at Tottenham in this campaign after the Lilywhites brought in Emerson Royal to provide more competition in his position.
The club signed the Republic of Ireland international last summer as they sought a more attacking right back under Jose Mourinho.
He was expected to become an upgrade to Serge Aurier at the club, but he ended up playing behind the error-prone Ivorian.
Spurs have since terminated Aurier’s deal and have been using Japhet Tanganga as their first choice right back.
Tanganga will now compete with Emerson for who will be the first choice and that pushes Doherty further down the pecking order.
He is still a player that a lot of Premier League clubs would like to sign, but he has remained at Spurs and former Sunderland striker, Kevin Phillips is surprised that he didn’t ask to leave, knowing that his chances of playing this season are now very limited.
“I thought Doherty might leave,” Phillips told Football Insider.
“When he saw someone come in, the player probably thought to himself about asking to leave.
“When a new manager comes in you think you might be given that opportunity and he hasn’t.
“I’m a little bit surprised when you look at Tanganga, he’s been excellent.
“The competition will be between Emerson and Tanganga so unfortunately for Doherty I think he’ll struggle to get into that matchday squad.
“I’m very surprised he hasn’t left the club to be honest.”
Well played Daniel, you signed off breaking the club’s transfer record on a player with chronic attitude problems. Now you sign a player who didn’t even want to come just because Barca have to sell players.
You let down the club’s best player and talisman with false promises, you hands onto a player like Carter Vickers when the lad has zero chance of playing in our first eleven, and hasn’t had for about five years.
It a wonder that there’s any squad harmony at all with you around, you freak…
ENIC OUT.
Whatever happens, Doherty just isn’t good enough for Spurs. End of…
Emerson didn’t want to leave Barcelona so we’ll see if he settles or is looking for a quick getaway.