Pundit suggests three Tottenham stars could be binned after Hotspur Way reveal – ‘Conte isn’t happy’
Noel Whelan has backed Antonio Conte to axe Tottenham wing-back trio Emerson Royal, Djed Spence, and Matt Doherty before the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the right wing-back position is “the most fragile area” of the Italian’s squad.
Sources told this site last week (31 December) that Tottenham are prepared to sell Emerson this month following a training ground bust-up.
Doherty is now ahead of the former Barcelona star in the pecking order and scored in Spurs’ 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday (4 January).
Reports have linked Spurs with a move for Sporting CP and ex-Man City defender Pedro Porro – with £26million said to be enough to seal a deal.
Djed Spence has played just 28 minutes of football since joining from Middlesbrough in the summer window.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “The performances in this position just aren’t up to standard.
“It’s not just Emerson Royal, it’s all of them. Doherty may have scored against Palace, but his future is still under big question marks.
“We’ve said with whoever is playing right wing-back – Conte really isn’t happy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them all leave this year.
“It’s always been the question mark, and none of these players have set the right benchmark. It’s all over the place.
“It doesn’t surprise me to hear that Royal might be on the way out.
“Conte is trying to generate the funds he needs to overhaul what is probably the most fragile area of their squad.”
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