Woodgate claims Spurs target is on ‘a different level’ to Emerson Royal
Jonathan Woodgate has claimed that rumoured Tottenham target Djed Spence is on a different level to Emerson Royal.
Tottenham were not successful in their attempts to bring in a right wing-back during the January transfer window (The Athletic).
Spence, who has excelled on loan at Nottingham Forest from Middlesbrough this season, was one of the players that the North London club were reportedly interested in last month.
According to 90 min, Antonio Conte’s men saw a £12m offer for the 21-year-old knocked back by Boro towards the end of the window.
Boro are now thought to have triggered an option to extend Spence’s contract until 2024 in an effort to avoid the youngster leaving for a cut-price fee in the summer (Teesside Live).
Woodgate is not in any doubt that Spence would be an upgrade over Emerson, pointing to the Brazilian’s defensive lapses against Southampton as evidence that he is not suited to the demands of English football.
The former Tottenham centre-back told BBC Radio 5 Live: “If you play in La Liga like Emerson Royal has, balls don’t really go into the box that much to the back post.
“You don’t need to do that much defending. In the Premier League, it happens week in, week out.
“I’ve watched Emerson Royal and Djed Spence for Nottingham Forest, and Spence looks a different level, compared to him.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Emerson does not appear well-suited to playing as a wing-back as he does not offer enough on the ball and does not seem capable of taking players on.
However, defensively, he has not done much wrong so far this season despite still getting used to the Premier League. It is not fair to be too critical of the Brazilian’s defending just based on his lapses in concentration on Wednesday.
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