Matt Doherty ‘playing for his career’ at Tottenham after twist – pundit
Noel Whelan has warned Matt Doherty he is “playing for his career” at Tottenham as he prepares to replace the suspended Emerson Royal in the side.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the right wing-back area is the “biggest question mark” at Spurs with a new signing possibly needed.
Royal will miss matches against Brighton, Everton, and Man United after his straight red card against Arsenal last week (1 October).
Doherty, who has just over 18 months remaining on his contract at Tottenham, has featured in just 26 minutes of action this season.
He impressed in 26 outings last term but saw his season end in April after tearing his medial collateral ligament.
As quoted by the London Evening Standard (4 October), Conte said he is not seeing the Republic of Ireland international “in the right way” to start games at present.
Whelan suggested Royal and Doherty are both in danger of being replaced in future transfer windows.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s a great chance for him as he comes down to 18 months left on his contract.
“He’s got to prove and show Conte that he’s worth keeping around.
“That right wing-back area is the biggest question mark at Tottenham, for me.
“Doherty now has to go out and play for his career at Spurs – and that’s the same for Emerson Royal, they’ve got to fight – horribly if need be – to stay at the club.
“That area of the pitch is the only area, at the moment, that you would say needs a new player and a change.”
In other news, medical insider claims Dejan Kulusevski injury “exacerbated” amid Tottenham latest.