Tim Sherwood has claimed that he hopes Tottenham new boy Emerson Royal doesn’t struggle like Roberto Soldado, as he told Premier League Productions (11/09/21 at 12:20 pm).
Tottenham signed Soldado for a big-money fee in 2013, after he thrived in the Spanish league, but, as Sherwood realised when he managed him, he ‘couldn’t handle it’ in England’s top-flight.
Whilst Spurs have signed numerous players from La Liga since, including one of their best buys in Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid many years ago, the man purchased to score the goals, after Gareth Bale’s departure, struggled big time.
And Sherwood warned and is hopeful Tottenham’s new boy, from Barcelona, can do the business in North London and doesn’t follow suit.
“He played a lot of games at Betis,” said Sherwood. “Albeit it in the Spanish league.
“We have had one there at Tottenham as well. He was a centre-forward in Soldado. He came over with a massive reputation, he couldn’t wait to score a bundle of goals in the Premier League.
“It never materialised. He couldn’t handle it. He couldn’t handle the tempo and the intense competition of the Premier League.
“Hopefully, for Royal and Tottenham fans, he can be really interesting.”
It was a tough debut for Emerson yesterday, but that’s what happens when you come up against a player of Wilfried Zaha’s power, pace, expert ball-carrying ability and trickery.
But he wasn’t the only one who struggled because it was an afternoon to forget for all those involved with Tottenham.
Given that Spurs have tasted their first Premier League defeat under Nuno Espirito Santo, the real test begins now and how they react.
The big positive is that many fans would have taken nine points from 12, if it was offered to them before a ball was kicked.
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