Garth Crooks has included Tottenham Hotspur right wing-back Emerson Royal in his BBC Premier League Team of the Week for his performance against David Moyes’s West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League this past weekend.
The former Tottenham forward was impressed by how Emerson played for Spurs against West Ham in the London derby.
Antonio Conte’s side beat the Hammers 2-0.
Emerson scored the opening goal in the 56th minute.
BBC Sport pundit Crooks was impressed by the Brazil international wing-back, but he has admitted that he is not a massive fan of the former Barcelona player.
The win for Tottenham against West Ham has enhanced their chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League table this season.
Praise for Tottenham Hotspur’s Emerson Royal
Crooks wrote on BBC Sport: “He has never been one of my favourite players but Royal made my selection after his performance against Manchester City, having done an excellent marking job on Jack Grealish. His game is one you would call gritty and not pretty.
“He is an old-fashioned enforcer but can play when forced to. Royal also knows how to score a goal too.
“His effort against West Ham, who looked a team lacking direction, was a striker’s finish and left Lukasz Fabianski grounded.
“The victory takes Tottenham back into the top four while their manager Antonio Conte recovers from surgery in Italy. I wonder if he will come back.”
Getting better
In our view, Emerson Royal is getting better for Tottenham Hotspur and is starting to add consistency to his game.
The Brazilian is a good player, but the main problem with him has been his lack of consistency.
The former Barcelona player is starting to add that facet to his game now.
Perhaps the signing of Pedro Porro in the January transfer window has really forced Emerson to up his game.
Tottenham are very much in the race for the Premier League top four this season.
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