‘Here to help the team’ – Emerson Royal on playing left-back and centre-back
Emerson Royal has spoken about filling in at different positions for Tottenham Hotspur this season and how he is determined to win the right-back spot from Pedro Porro. The 24-year-old former Barcelona defender has been a true professional this season, filling in wherever his manager has asked him to and continuing to contribute despite being […]
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Emerson Royal has spoken about filling in at different positions for Tottenham Hotspur this season and how he is determined to win the right-back spot from Pedro Porro.
The 24-year-old former Barcelona defender has been a true professional this season, filling in wherever his manager has asked him to and continuing to contribute despite being given very few starts.
Due to the injury and suspension issues that Spurs have suffered in defence, Emerson has played at left-back and even centre-back over the past few weeks.
In Spurs’ 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, Tottenham had four full-backs in defence with Pedro Porro at right-back, Destiny Udogie at left-back and Emerson Royal and Ben Davies playing as the centre-backs.
Despite the criticism that he gets both with Spurs and on international duty, Emerson revealed recently that he had immense self-confidence in his abilities and never let such things get to him.
Emerson has played 11 times for Spurs this season, including substitute appearances. During this time, he has scored one goal. The 24-year-old also has 10 caps for his national team (Transfermarkt).
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Emerson Royal of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammate Heung-Min Son after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Emerson is willing to play any position for Spurs
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Emerson Royal opened up on the challenges of playing in different positions in defence and vowed to help the team where required.
He said: “Obviously, it’s a bit different [playing at left-back], especially defensively, because your body position is totally different. But as I said before, I am here to help the team. Even if they put me in goal, I may not be the best player, but I will still try my best. That will always be the case.
“I think it’s important to have players who can play different positions. Of course, you can put any player anywhere, but to actually do a good job is difficult. If the manager puts me somewhere, he knows I will do a good job.
“Now, we have some good players who are injured or suspended, but the team is not just the 11 players who start. You have to have a very good squad in order to achieve big things.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Emerson did not cover himself in glory in the game against Aston Villa for the second goal that Spurs conceded. The Brazilian should have done a better job of covering space but his overall performance was still very solid.
Considering the number of injury issues we are having to contend with, having someone like the Brazilian who can do a job anywhere in defence is a blessing.
Ideally, the 24-year-old will want to be playing in his favoured right-back role but such selfless acts are always appreciated and will go a long way in earning him a place in the hearts of Spurs fans.
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The post ‘Here to help the team’ – Emerson Royal on playing left-back and centre-back appeared first on Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.