‘Sonny loves him’: Alasdair Gold suggests £27m Tottenham Hotspu player was going to be sold, looks very unlikely now

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There’s been plenty of speculation this summer over which players would start at wing-back for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

The signings of Ivan Perisic on the left and Djed Spence on the right have made Antonio Conte’s job much harder than it was last season.

And speaking on his YouTube channel, Football London journalist Alasdair Gold has shared an interesting update on Emerson Royal’s future.

Gold talked about how Emerson’s future was up in the air this summer, but that his early season form has made him hard to get rid of: “Fair play to Emerson, as he is holding onto that shirt, and he was the one that was meant to probably be sold this summer.

“I think all of us had been told by various sources that Emerson was the one they were looking to entertain bids for.

“He’s so settled, he doesn’t want to go anywhere, he’s very happy.

“He’s got Lucas Moura and Richarlison, he is loving life with his fellow Brazilians, all the South Americans get on very well, he’s getting on well with Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur as well.

“He’s very popular in the camp, Sonny (Hueng-min) loves him as well, he’s just a really bubbly character.

“Unless a big bid, or a tempting bid comes in, and Spurs agree to it, but probably most importantly, Emerson Royal thinks it’s a good move for him, then he may well be sticking around.

Gold suggests Emerson was going to be sold

It’s a big boost for Emerson that he’s done enough to convince Tottenham not to sell him this summer, but this does give Conte a selection dilemma.

Having two players in each position makes rotation easy, especially when you’re playing in multiple competitions like Tottenham.

However, Emerson Royal, Matt Doherty and new signing Spence are all competing for one spot in the team.

Doherty is capable of playing on the opposite flank, but Conte already has Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon for that role, although Sergio Reguilon looks likely to be moved on.

The key for all of these players will be to make themselves impossible to drop whenever they’re given an opportunity.

This is exactly what Royal is doing right now, even if Conte became frustrated with the 23-year-old at times against Wolves.

However, when the midweek games start, Conte may give Doherty or Spence an opportunity, and this will be when the popular Brazilian may see his game time start to diminish.

It’s also a massive boost to hear just how happy Emerson is at the club, after his £27m move last summer, and how popular he is among his peers.

Tottenham have started the season brilliantly, and the longer that continues, the more likely the harmony within the squad will continue as well.