"Seems to drive Conte crazy" – Journalist drops verdict on Spurs ace who's been "pretty bad"

Tottenham defender Emerson Royal has been performing “pretty badly” in recent weeks and has been driving Antonio Conte “crazy”, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The Brazilian only joined from Barcelona last summer but has already been linked with a swift move away from North London.

Royal has generally been first choice since he moved to the Premier League, but Matt Doherty has been Conte’s preferred option at right wing-back in recent weeks.

And while Doherty has also struggled since his arrival from Wolves, he’s already justified his place in the team with two excellent performances against Leeds and Everton, scoring once and chipping in with three assists.

Therefore, with Royal playing just 53 minutes across the last three games, Tottenham are already open to offers for the 23-year-old this summer as they look to bolster their right-sided department.

According to WhoScored, Royal has been Spurs’ ninth-best player this season, although he’s contributed just one assist in the league and was arguably at fault for all three goals in the defeat to Southampton last month, which led to him losing his place in the side.

During recent weeks, Tottenham have been linked with a host of potential right wing-backs, including Middlesbrough pair Djed Spence and Isaiah Jones, while Tariq Lamptey was a player of interest last summer.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s been pretty bad in the last few weeks when I’ve seen him, and he seems to drive Conte crazy at times, you watch him on the touchline.”

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Prior to this season, Royal had only played at right wing-back nine times in his career, explaining why he’s looked so uneasy when playing there.

Under Nuno Espirito Santo,