Jonathan Woodgate has told BBC Radio 5 Live that Middlesbrough’s on-loan defender Djed Spence is a “level above” Tottenham man Emerson Royal. Spurs are said to be interested in signing the Nottingham Forest loanee.
Spurs led twice but were undone by crosses into the box on Wednesday night, as goals from Che Adams, Armando Broja and Mo Elyounoussi saw Antonio Conte suffer a first Premier League defeat at home as Spurs boss.
Conte has wanted to replace Emerson on the right flank. Adama Traore was eyed as the man to do so but the Spaniard moved to Barcelona. Spence has also been eyed – The Mirror reporting they could make a £10million move.
Had Spence signed in January, he would not have been able to play until the summer – given he has played for both Forest and Boro this season. But Woodgate, who coached Spence at Boro, says he is better than Emerson.
“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,” Woodgate told BBC Radio 5 Live, in his analysis of Tottenham’s loss to Southampton.
Woodgate on Spence and Emerson: Tottenham need £10m bargain buy
Emerson is playing with enormous pressure on his shoulders and it is showing. While he is effective going forward, the defensive nous is not there. Conte likes to use his wing-backs as full-backs, when winning.
When Spurs score, they sit off, in order to protect what they have just got. It means the likes of Emerson and Sergio Reguilon sit back, as full-backs, and the defence becomes a team of five. But it highlights his defensive inability.
Spence is a top talent and if Woodgate claims he is better than Emerson already, then Spurs have simply got to make the £10million move.
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