Spurs manager Antonio Conte's recent transfer comments will have eased the worries of Matt Doherty somewhat, following the transfer of right-back Djed Spence to the club.
Will Spurs Look To Transfer Doherty Or Emerson Royal?
Spence's signing leaves Spurs with three highly regarded right-backs, along with Doherty and Brazil's Emerson Royal, and it is expected that one of the latter will be sold.
However, Conte has suggested that Spence will not be parachuted into the starting XI, and will have to fight for his place, and has also said that it was not his choice to sign the young right-back from Middlesborough.
Also, given Doherty's excellent form last season prior to his injury, it is more likely that Royal will be on his way out of the club.
Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it," said Conte. "I said ‘OK, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us’. The club decided to buy him.”
“The club was very clear with me and said we reached an important achievement and … now we want to continue to grow. To grow together with ambition.
“For the club, it has not been simple to go into the transfer market and sign players for free — like Perisic and Forster — and sign players on loan — like Lenglet — and sign players with money — like Richarlison and Bissouma and Spence.
29 March 2022; Matt Doherty of Republic of Ireland remonstrates with referee Bram Van Driessche after his side's goal was disallowed during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Lithuania at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Regardless, Doherty will have to continue next season in a similar vein of form if he wants to keep his place in the starting XI, given the promise of Spence.
Spence was loaned to Nottingham Forest last season and played a vital role in their promotion to the Premier League, and was also named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Championship Team of the Season.
SEE ALSO: Transfer Report: Manchester United Close To Landing Player In Problem Position
