Report: Conte set to throw ‘amazing’ player in for Spurs v Southampton, as injury worries mount

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Tottenham take on Southampton today as they kick off their Premier League campaign for 22/23 with high hopes.

Spurs have backed Antonio Conte to the tune of more than £100m this summer and there an expectancy among fans and some pundits that the club will really push Liverpool and City closer than any other team.

Of course, Conte is relying on seeing some of his players settle in quickly, while there’s also worries over the fitness of a few of his new summer recruits as well. With that being said, Football.London has reported that Brazilian full-back Emerson Royal is likely to be given a start at right wing-back.

It’s believed that Matt Doherty and Ivan Perisic might be too far away from being fit enough to make the starting XI, which means Conte must put his trust in Emerson instead. Further, Djed Spence has only been with the club a few weeks, and with Conte often talking about him as one for the future, it’s hard to see Spence playing.

Dubbed as ‘amazing‘ by Graham Roberts for one performance last year, Emerson Royal was widely tipped to leave Tottenham this summer. However, it seems he is going to get his chance on the opening day at least.

TBR’s View: Chance For Emerson To Shine For Tottenham

He might have struggled at times and there might have been a clamour by Spurs to get new wing-backs this summer, but Emerson has remained at the club and now looks ready to play.

In fairness to him, he’s got his head down in pre-season and worked hard. And with that in mind, you have to say there’s no reason for Conte not to throw him in.

Emerson might lack a bit in the final third, but he’ll do a job for Spurs today and Conte knows what he’ll be getting as well.