Tottenham expert shares Matt Doherty prediction amid ‘strange’ Djed Spence development
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is in “a hard place” with the right wing-back position ahead of his side’s Premier League opener.
That is according to Spurs insider John Wenham, who regularly breaks news about the club on his Lilywhite Rose social media channels.
Tottenham have signed Djed Spence, 21, from Middlesbrough this summer, joining Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal as options to play on the right side of Conte’s defence.
However, due to his recent arrival, Spence has missed most of Spurs’ pre-season and speculation continues over the future of Royal.
A recruitment source told Football Insider (29 June) that Atletico Madrid have tabled an offer for the Brazilian right-back.
Wenham is expecting Doherty to start at right wing-back when Spurs play Southampton on Saturday (6 August).
“I think Conte is in a really hard place with the right-back position,” Wenham told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“Emerson actually did really well for us at the end of the season. Doherty also had that purple patch before he got injured, he was a key player and he was creating chances.
“I just don’t see Spence starting that first game, he has barely played in pre-season. It is a shootout between Emerson and Doherty but I feel like either player could still be sold.
“It’s a strange kind of place to be in. If you had to ask me now I think Doherty will be the player who is selected to start against Southampton.”
Emerson made 41 appearances across all competitions for Spurs last season.
The right-back has four years remaining on his contract in north London.
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