‘Could be the answer’ – Former Spur suggests player has been handed ‘lifeline’
Paul Robinson has claimed Matt Doherty has been given a ‘lifeline’ at Tottenham after the club elected not to pursue the signing of a right wing-back in January.
Tottenham reportedly made right wing-back one of the positions to strengthen in the transfer window at the request of Antonio Conte (Evening Standard).
Spurs were in intense talks with Wolves to sign Adama Traore after Conte wanted to convert him into a more defensive role (The Guardian), but failed to secure a deal with the Spaniard joining Barcelona instead.
The blow of missing out on the 26-year-old means Spurs remain with Doherty, Emerson Royal as options at wing-back, while Japhet Tanganga can also be called to slot in.
However, former Spurs goalkeeper Robinson believes it can work in favour of Republic of Ireland international Doherty, who could now look to play his way back into contention.
Doherty came off the bench for the final three minutes of Spurs’ win over Brighton last night with Conte instead opting to start with Royal.
Robinson told Football Insider: “It was no secret that Conte wanted a right wing-back. January is a difficult month to do business in though.
“Doherty now has an opportunity to re-ignite his career at Spurs. [Emerson] Royal doesn’t strike me as an out-and-out wing-back. He is more of a full-back.
“Doherty has come back into the side of late and he has had a couple of promising games. There is potential there. He could be the answer at right wing-back.
“It looked like it was going to be Adama Traore but that fell through. Doherty now has to step up and stake a claim for that shirt.
“He made his name as a right wing-back. He played so well in that system at Wolves. That is why he became a wanted commodity. This is a lifeline for him.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It is pretty clear that Conte wanted a new right wing-back with Emerson and Doherty struggling to convince him. But Doherty is probably the best option to use in that particular position, and he can use his experience playing there at Wolves to his advantage in the coming months.
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