Paul Merson says Tottenham defender Emerson Royal is ‘not good enough’

Add as preferred source on Google

Paul Merson has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal is simply not good enough for Antonio Conte’s side.

The Brazilian joined Spurs from Barcelona for £25.7 million last year (Guardian). A lot was expected of him when his signing was announced, but after watching him for over 12 months now, it has to be said that he has failed to live up to all the hype.

Paul Merson says Emerson Royal is ‘not good enough’ for Tottenham

Emerson was excellent in La Liga with Real Betis during his time there. Many expected him to continue that form in Tottenham’s colours, but things just haven’t worked out for him.

The 23-year-old Brazilian has been at the end of a ton of criticism on numerous occasions over the last year. That went up a notch last weekend after his horrendous tackle on Gabriel Martinelli saw him get sent off.

Merson had his say on the red card, and he believes Emerson is the reason why Tottenham were ’embarrassed’ by Arsenal in the North London Derby.

The pundit wrote in his column on Sportskeeda: “I don’t know what Emerson Royal was doing, he’s not good enough and his side were embarrassed by their local rivals owing to his red card.

“Emerson Royal is not good enough and tends to struggle badly when he’s off it. I like Ivan Perisic, but he isn’t getting any younger, so Conte has a thing or two to think about.”

TBR View:

If there’s one area of Tottenham’s squad that Antonio Conte will try to strengthen in January, it’s right wing-back.

Emerson isn’t on the same level as someone like Ivan Perisic on the opposite side, while it’s clear that the Spurs boss does not trust Djed Spence and Matt Doherty in that position.

Merson’s right, Conte definitely has a thing or two to think about, and it will be interesting to see if he will be able to bring in an upgrade on all three of his right wing-backs in the winter window.

Tottenham face Brighton tomorrow and with Emerson suspended, it will be interesting to see who will start in his position.