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.”