According to journalist Paul Brown, Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is still not convinced by Matt Doherty and Djed Spence.
The pair have made just two appearances together this season, with Emerson Royal the Spurs manager’s preferred option at right wing-back.
With Doherty a regular in the team before his injury and Spence a £20 million signing from Middlesbrough, both must have thought they had a good chance of becoming first choice on the right. However, for the time being, the duo has been forced to watch from the bench, with Royal starting every Premier League game and missing only 13 minutes.
Royal has been part of a defence that has allowed only five goals in five games this season, but his offensive output has come under question.
And Brown believes Royal’s success is due to Doherty and Spence not contributing enough, rather than the Brazilian performing exceptionally well.
He told GIVEMESPORT:
“Conte clearly wants to rotate those positions, he always has done over the years, it’s been an area he regards in all of his teams.
“He likes to have two really good players in those positions that he can change without a drop off in quality, but he’s a ruthless manager and if you’re not doing it in training, you won’t get a look in.
“So, I can only imagine he doesn’t see enough at the moment from Doherty or Spence to put them in there.”
Perhaps once Doherty is back fully fit and firing, he is the most likely candidate to give Royal a run for the right wing-back position because of his ability going forward.
