Tottenham idol 'surprised' by journalist's Matt Doherty update
Paul Robinson is "surprised" to hear Tottenham have reportedly told Matt Doherty he is free to leave the club this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former White Hart Lane number one heaped praise on the 30-year-old for his improvement under Antonio Conte.
Doherty established himself as a regular starter for Spurs in March but an injury in mid-April ended his campaign.
According to talkSPORT's Alex Crook (7 July), Tottenham have told the Republic of Ireland international he can leave in this window.
A £15million signing from Wolves in August 2020, Doherty has two years remaining on his contract in north London.
When asked by Football Insider for his reaction to the latest regarding the right-back's future, Robinson said: "If that is true, I am surprised.
"He had a slow start to the season. He looked a little lost but when he got in the side under Conte he improved massively. We saw the reason Spurs signed him.
"He suits the system at right wing-back. Offensively, he did really, really well. I feel like we were finally starting to see the best of him.
"For that reason, if they did let him go it would surprise me.
"They are obviously in the market for a right wing-back but I don't think that means there isn't a place for Doherty in the squad. It would be difficult to lose him at this stage of pre-season."