‘More freedom’ – Pundit suggests Spurs star is better under Stellini than Conte
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Tim Sherwood has claimed Tottenham Hotspur’s Emerson Royal is a totally different player for Cristian Stellini than he is for Antonio Conte.
Royal signed for Tottenham in the summer of 2021, arriving from Barcelona on the back of an impressive loan spell with La Liga side Real Betis.
He scored five goals and provided ten assists in 79 appearances for Betis over the course of two seasons (Transfermarkt).
The Brazilian was signed with the intention of being a full-back for then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Of course, Santo was removed from his position shortly after the season began, and Conte brought in a wing-back system which Royal initially failed to adapt to.
Heavy criticism was levelled at Royal this season, with the player causing frustration due to poor passing and crossing in attacking areas.
Nevertheless, Conte continued to play Royal despite having Matt Doherty and Djed Spence at the club.
In the January transfer window, the arrival of Pedro Porro appeared to put Royal’s position at risk, but it was Doherty and Spence who left the club instead.
After a shaky debut for Porro, Royal was given his chance in the starting lineup once more and has looked a far better player of late.
He has scored two goals in his last five games (Transfermarkt) and has proven many people wrong with his displays recently.
Sherwood reckons we are seeing a transformed player, and posits this may be down to a difference in management between Conte and his assistant manager Cristian Stellini.
On Royal’s form, since Stellini took charge, Sherwood said: “It’s almost like there’s a little bit more freedom, especially with the wing-backs.
“He is a different player, that boy. It seems like when Antonio’s there at the side, they’re a little bit more pragmatic and he sits them in a more defensive unit.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Admittedly, I never thought Royal was going to make it at Spurs, at least not as a wing-back, but he’s proving us all wrong now.
I’m not sure it’s down to Conte or Stellini per se, I think it’s more the fact that Royal has put in a lot of hard work and has been motivated by the competition from Pedro Porro.
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