In Focus: Conte faces Royal dilemma as Spurs aim to bounce back

Tottenham defender Emerson Royal was sent off against Arsenal last Saturday leaving boss Antonio Conte with a headache as he assesses his best options at right wing-back.

Royal has started all but one of Spurs' matches so far this season, keeping the likes of Matt Doherty and Djed Spence out of the team.

But his recklessness at the Emirates may have been the final straw for Conte who relies on his wing-backs as an essential part of his system.

The Italian coach will no doubt be considering whether or not he should stick with the Brazilian, or whether it is time to look elsewhere for a solution.

Ahead of their Champions League clash at Eintracht Frankfurt, we take a look at Spurs' problem position in more detail.

Conte's conundrum

Playing as a wing-back under Conte, you are expected to attack, defend, provide and score. 

If you are limited in one of those areas, that is going to be a problem.

Since arriving in the summer of 2021, Royal has scored one goal for Spurs and provided just two assists in 51 appearances.

Compare that with the numbers of Achraf Hakimi, who recorded 18 goal contributions in just 45 matches playing under Conte at Inter Milan in 2020-21.

The requirements are a tough ask, but if you do not live up to expectations, the Premier League winning manager would usually have no hesitation in dropping any player.

Royal has had 10 games this season to prove himself as someone who the former Chelsea boss can trust but his dismissal at the weekend may have dented his manager's faith in him.

Alternative options

Despite the right wing-back area being something of a problem for Spurs, they are not short of options in that position.

Matt Doherty was an established starter towards the end of last season, but an injury has meant the Irishman has managed just 26 first-team minutes this term.

The former Wolves defender scored twice and provided four assists for the North London side last season in just 15 Premier League games.

Another option for Conte is Spence, who joined from Middlesbrough in July having spent the previous season on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Starring for a side that earned promotion to the Premier League, Spence scored three times and provided five assists during his stay in the East Midlands.

Although the Spurs head coach admitted that Spence was more of a club signing than his own, fans are keen to see the 22-year-old given a chance to impress.

Improving in the final third

Spurs have conceded a respectable 10 times from eight Premier League outings this term, with top two Arsenal and Manchester City the only teams to better their tally of 19 goals scored.

But despite Conte's men showing positive signs, there is still plenty of room for improvement, from Royal in particular.

A theme in Royal's play that has frustrated spectators constantly is his crossing.

Of his 22 attempts to put the ball into the box, the 23-year-old has only completed four of them — this is in stark contrast to former Spurs man Kieran Trippier who has completed 27.

In addition, Tottenham's No12 is yet to create a big chance for his side and has supplied only two regular chances.

If we compare both of these stats with Ivan Perisic, a Conte signing who operates on the left for Spurs, the difference is clear. 

The Croatian has attempted 33 crosses, with 15 of them finding a team-mate. When it comes to chance creation, Perisic has made 12 chances and two big opportunities.

There is an imbalance in the squad when it comes to the wing-backs — the numbers suggest now is the right moment for Conte to try something new. 

Decision time

Conte has never been one to speak in riddles or sugarcoat his answers and the issue down the right-hand side is no different. 

Speaking ahead of the trip to Germany, he said: "Doherty, I am not seeing him in the right way to start a game, I'm not stupid, I don't want to lose."

When commenting on Spence, he added: "We are talking about a young player with a good prospect.

"I try to do the best for the team, If they [fans] trust me, then they trust me, but the choices are mine. If I didn't decide to pick one player it's because he's not ready."

Conte seems to be deciding between the Brazilian and the Irishman as his starting wing-back and with the latter finally back at full fitness, we may see more rotation going forward.