Tottenham Hotspur at right fullback for the 2021/22 season

Right-back wildcard – Emerson Royal

Just 22-years old, like Tanganga, Royal has already played over 100 matches in La Liga and Serie A combined, including 39 starts, last season for Barcelona. However, this summer the facade that has been the Barcelona books came tumbling down and as a result, the Catalan club has lost several players, including Leo Messi.

Tottenham buying from Barcelona?

A year ago the idea that Tottenham would be signing Emerson Royal away from Barcelona seems like total madness. Even earlier this summer the idea of getting Achraf Hakimi from Milan seemed more likely than signing Royal, who Barcelona had just secured from Real Bettis.

Tottenham and new football director Fabio Paratici saw an opportunity and struck, signing Royal away from the Spanish giants.

Royal is a Brazilian right-back who comes with the typical Brazilian flair and abilities. With good size and strength comparable to Tanganga, Emerson is no pushover as a defender. Strong in the air and a more willing tackler than one would expect from a Brazilian back, the one question mark with Emerson is his discipline and tendency to foul. Hopefully, those are traits that he can better with experience and the coaching of Santo.

After being a huge question mark for Tottenham heading into the season, suddenly right-back looks a position of strength overall for the team. Younger and more dynamic than last season with a hint more depth, Tottenham should be set at right-back for the next several seasons, assuming the youngsters develop as one would hope.