According to Mundo Deportivo, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the services of FC Barcelona’s Emerson. The fullback is currently on loan at Real Betis, where he has impressed the onlookers with his consistent performances. Although Emerson has a contract with Betis until 2021, Barcelona will consider a potential sale if any lucrative offer comes along the way.
Emerson’s success at Real Betis
Emerson initially arrived at FC Barcelona last summer, in a €12 million move from Atletico Mineiro. He was, however, immediately shipped out to Real Betis in a two-year loan deal, despite the club’s lack of reliable option at right-back.
Nevertheless, Emerson has emerged as one of the rising stars in La Liga this campaign, becoming an ever-present figure in the Real Betis side. Indeed, the Brazilian has already notched up 23 league appearances, during which he has been involved in eight goals. It is about one-fifth of the total goals that a struggling Betis side have scored this season.
Emerson’s performances have also caught the attention of Tite, with the 58-year-old giving the Brazilian his first cap for his country back in November.
What can he bring to the table?
Emerson is a defence-oriented right-back, who is known for his work ethic and commitment. Standing at 181cm, the Brazilian has an imposing frame and often stands out in terms of physical duels. He loves to commit himself into tackles, having attempted 3.6 tackles per game for Real Betis this campaign.
The 21-year-old is also blessed by the sheer pace that allows him to cover ground quickly. Also, he has the technical prowess as well as the flair that enable him to not only distribute possession from the back but also create chances from the wider areas of the pitch. It is reflected in his excellent productivity this season, with the defender registering five assists in the league.
Do Tottenham need Emerson?
Tottenham Hotspur need an overhaul in the defensive department. Especially in the right-back slot, the club has Serge Aurier as the only option, especially with Kyle Walker-Peters struggling to make an impression. And that’s where Emerson could come into the fray.
What makes the Brazilian such an appealing target for Spurs is his defensive nature that tunes in well with Jose Mourinho’s pragmatic style of play. The fact that he is aware of his defensive chores means that Emerson will be able to provide that much-needed solidity at right-back, ultimately making Tottenham much more resilient at the back.
However, it remains to be seen how much Barcelona will demand for the Brazilian star this summer, considering the fact that they will have to break their agreement with Real Betis to offload him permanently.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
