Doherty ‘thought about leaving Tottenham’ after hearing club news – Phillips
Kevin Phillips claims Matt Doherty will struggle to make Nuno Espirito Santo’s matchday squads after Tottenham signed Emerson Royal.
The Sunderland legend, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, speculated on the right-back’s future after Spurs completed another transfer.
Spurs announced the signing of Emerson from Barcelona on Tuesday (31 August).
The Brazilian joins Doherty and Japhet Tanganga as Nuno Espirito Santo’s right-back options.
The 22-year-old academy product has been the Portuguese manager’s first-choice in the Premier League so far.
So much so, Nuno decided to u-turn on sending the youngster out on loan after his outing against Manchester City.
Phillips admitted he thought Doherty would leave Spurs in search of regular football after the arrival of Emerson.
“I thought Doherty might leave,” Phillips told Football Insider assistant editor Dylan Childs.
“When he saw someone come in, the player probably thought to himself about asking to leave.
“When a new manager comes in you think you might be given that opportunity and he hasn’t.
“I’m a little bit surprised when you look at Tanganga, he’s been excellent.
“The competition will be between Emerson and Tanganga so unfortunately for Doherty I think he’ll struggle to get into that matchday squad.
“I’m very surprised he hasn’t left the club to be honest.”
Doherty started both of Tottenham’s Europa Conference League matches against Pacos de Ferreira and made a substitute appearance against Manchester City.
He has played a total of 32 times for Spurs to date.
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