Report: Antonio Conte ‘likely’ to bring £26m player back into Tottenham’s starting line-up to start against Frankfurt now

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Antonio Conte is ‘likely’ to bring Emerson Royal back into Tottenham Hotspur’s starting line-up to start against Eintracht Frankfurt now, according to Football.London. 

Emerson has had a mixed spell in north London since making the £25.7 million switch from Barcelona last summer (Sky Sports).

The 23-year-old full-back put in some solid displays towards the end of last season after Matt Doherty was sidelined. But he has failed to impress in terms of attacking output in Conte’s side.

The Brazilian full-back was sent-off in the north London derby last weekend which led to Doherty coming back into the side in Tottenham’s win over Brighton on Saturday. 

But it seems that Emerson could be set to come back into the starting line-up against Frankfurt.

Emerson likely to start

Football.London reports that Emerson is now ‘likely’ to start in Tottenham’s Champions League clash on Wednesday night. 

Doherty made an impression on Saturday, despite being slightly rusty after a lengthy period on the sidelines.

But with the Irishman being eased back into action following a serious knee injury, Emerson looks set to be given the nod by Conte.

The Italian boss has shown that he trusts Emerson this season, often favouring him over Doherty and summer signing Djed Spence.

After being dismissed for a reckless challenge on Gabriel Martinelli against Arsenal last Saturday, Emerson was handed a start just three days later in Spurs’ goalless draw with Frankfurt.

The wing-back is currently serving a three-match suspension in the Premier League and this is why Doherty was given a chance on Saturday.

He will certainly need to impress on Wednesday night after the Irishman posed a real threat down the right-hand side against Brighton.

Emerson has often been solid for Spurs defensively but lacks the attacking qualities required to play as a wing-back in Conte’s system. And Spurs certainly posed more of a threat down both flanks on Saturday when he didn’t feature.