Clive Allen says £26m Tottenham player has been brilliant in recent weeks

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Clive Allen has issued his verdict on the performances of Emerson Royal in recent weeks with the Brazilian filling in at centre-back for Tottenham Hotspur.

Emerson Royal and Ben Davies have had important roles to play for Spurs over the last couple of months. The pair have come in at centre-back on a number of occasions, with Micky van de Ven injured and Cristian Romero suspended and then sidelined with a problem of his own.

There have been shaky moments for Emerson. But he has played his part in Spurs winning four of their last five Premier League games, while also booking their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Tottenham have conceded just two goals in their last three home games in all competitions. And that is a really impressive achievement given that Ange Postecoglou’s side has been decimated by injuries this season.

Emerson has not always managed to silence his critics since his £26 million move to North London from Barcelona.

Emerson Royal playing superbly for Tottenham in recent weeks

But speaking on Inside Spurs following the FA Cup win over Burnley, Clive Allen suggested that he has enjoyed seeing how much the defender has improved in this recent run in the side.

“I think it’s fabulous to watch the way he’s been playing,” he said. “He’s playing alongside Ben Davies at centre-half, but you see here, the position is good. He picks up the danger in behind Porro, but then has the ability to play out. And that takes great discipline and understanding of the role.

“On this occasion, he steps forward, the timing of the challenge is really good and then we keep possession of the ball. That is vitally important. But that all comes from his starting position.

“But for me, this is a great example of how he’s reading the game. Burnley break, he knows there’s danger on the left-hand side. And he just lets the player off his left shoulder, he runs with him but intercepts the ball brilliantly. And again, you just see the way he’s looking around. He makes sure he’s in the right position and steps across brilliantly to intercept when the ball’s played in behind Porro. So he’s really adapted to the role with great discipline.

“He really has been fantastically disciplined and brilliant in the role in the last few weeks.”

Brazilian has the trust of Ange Postecoglou

When everyone is fit, Emerson is unlikely to feature in the starting lineup. Pedro Porro has been a revelation this season after a difficult loan spell with the club.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have signed Radu Dragusin to compete with Romero and van de Ven. So they are well-stocked again at the heart of the defence.

But Emerson rarely lets the team down whenever he does feature. Perhaps he usually has his limitations going forward – he has four goals and two assists in 94 games for the club – but he is an outstanding defender.

And crucially, he appears to have the complete trust of Postecoglou.