Scout Reports

What can we expect from new Spurs defender Emerson Royal in FPL?

The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) appeal of Emerson Royal (£5.0m) is assessed as we take a closer look at Tottenham Hotspur’s new attack-minded Brazilian right-back.

The mid-price FPL defender scored four goals and assisted a further 10 in 76 La Liga appearances prior to his deadline-day move, mostly for Real Betis. Jordi Alba (16) was the only full-back to be involved in more Spanish top-flight goals than Royal (14) since the start of 2019/20.

Royal will be joining the division’s in-form defence, who have banked three successive clean sheets.

He’ll also provide competition for current incumbent Japhet Tanganga (£4.6m) and Matt Doherty (£4.9m) at right-back, with Serge Aurier (£4.9m) now having left the club by mutual consent.

THE HISTORY

Born in Sao Paulo in January 1999, Emerson Royal progressed through Brazilian club Ponte Preta’s academy system and made his senior debut as a teenager before moving to Atletico Mineiro in April 2018.

Snapped up in a ‘co-ownership’ deal by Real Betis and Barcelona less than a year later, the right-back was to spend two-and-a-half seasons with the former before the Catalan giants exercised their option to sign him for €9m this summer – promptly flogging him to Spurs, after just three La Liga appearances for Barca, for nearly three times as much money.

At an international level, Royal featured for his country in the under-20s and under-23s before earning the first of four Brazil caps in November 2019.

Returning to the national team fray this summer, he featured in three of Selecao’s Copa America 2021 games.

Emerson Royal’s League Career Stats
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAssists
2021/22BarcelonaLa Liga300
2020/21Real BetisLa Liga3414
2019/20Real BetisLa Liga3336
2018/19Real BetisLa Liga600
2018Atletico MineiroSérie A2311
2017Ponte PretaSérie A200

Source: Transfermarkt

PLAYING STYLE

Spurs and their fanbase will be wishing for a happy medium between the occasionally kamikaze Aurier and more natural centre-half Tanganga, which seems to be what Royal can offer on paper.

An athletic, pacy, forward-thinking full-back with some lingering question marks over his defensive ability, his skillset would appear to veer more towards the now-departed Ivorian.

His one and only start for Barcelona in August, indeed, saw him incur the wrath of Ronald Koeman and hooked after the hour-mark.

But Royal made strides under Manuel Pellegrini at Betis in 2020/21, with totals of 91 tackles and 61 interceptions the second and fourth-most of any La Liga defender.

The testimonies range from “Brazil’s [future] first-choice right-back” to “shaky”; perhaps unsurprising given that we’re talking about a relatively inexperienced defender who faced the daunting task of following in the footsteps of – and inviting lazy comparisons with – his countryman and idol, Dani Alves.

“His athleticism is mainly what makes him so great. Emerson is a very powerful runner. He has plenty of pace to keep up with opposition wide players and seems to always be able to dig deep and find that second wind late in games.

“He’s good in the air and given his height (6ft), he usually has an immediate advantage over shorter wingers. He’s also deceptively strong despite his relatively slender, almost lanky body. He has long legs and that helps him when jockeying for possession.

“He has a great understanding of how to adjust his body when fighting to win the ball. His timing and success rate on tackles is one of his biggest strengths and his ability to correctly anticipate the trajectory of the ball means he’s almost always in a great position to compete in the air.” – Andrew Miller, Real Betis reporter

“He went to the Copa America even though he was very young and in two or three years can be Brazil’s first-choice right-back. He just needs to keep improving and maintain his focus. He has skills to be at the level that Spurs need.

“For a team that defends more and tries to attack really fast, he can be a good weapon. The way that he plays will fit very well in the Premier League and with Nuno’s style — he’s better playing on the counter-attack.

“He can cross, he can shoot from outside the area. If he has a good connection with (Harry) Kane and Son (Heung-min), he will improve the team a lot.” – Marcelo Bechler, Barcelona-based Brazilian journalist

“He’s an attacking right-back, a strapping figure in the mould of Maicon, which might not impress Tottenham fans as much.

“To be fair to him, his career so far has been a little bit shaky. He was a reserve in Brazil, he played for Brazil at under-20 level but not very well.

“Barcelona picked him up on promise but didn’t really use him. Couple of seasons at Betis, not a lot the first season but better the second season and he’s on the fringes of the Brazil squad where they have a problem at right-back.

“So far it’s much, much more promise than reality. Tottenham are paying a lot of money for him so it’s time now for the man named after jelly to stand up straight and put some solidity in that career.” – South American football correspondent Tim Vickery

THE UNDERLYING STATS v SPURS DEFENDERS: 2020/21

NameMinutes Per ChanceMinutes Per Chances Created
Royal271.996
Aurier107.289
Reguilón112.4132
Dier180420
Alderweireld224.1280
Tanganga244488
DSanchez297.21486
Doherty412.7113
Davies (Ben)446.7168
Rodon7320

The new Spurs signing racked up an eye-catching 61 key passes and a more modest 34 shots in his last two seasons with Betis.

Looking at 2020/21’s stats, Royal supplied chances at a similar rate (one every 96 minutes) to the man he is effectively replacing, Aurier (one every 89 minutes).

A total of 31 opportunities created would have seen him ranked joint-10th among FPL defenders in 2020/21.

He wasn’t afforded too many shooting opportunities – just 11 – but his trigger-happy nature was perhaps curbed a little by Pellegrini.

Indeed, his minutes-per-chance average of 123.9 under former coach Rubi in 2019/20 was closer to what Aurier and Sergio Reguilon (£5.2m) were producing last season.

THE PROSPECTS – AND WHERE HE WILL FIT IN AT SPURS

Where Royal will play is the easy bit: right-back in Nuno Espirito Santo’s 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 or, should the former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager revisit his former preferred formation, at wing-back in a 3-4-3.

Tanganga, whose future likely lies at centre-half anyway, is the obvious fall guy, although he may still be preferred in the matches where Spurs are on the back foot against top-class opposition, having excelled against Manchester City in Gameweek 1.

Royal would seem to have been brought in not just to bolster the numbers at right-back but with an eye on fixtures where the Lilywhites are facing a low block: the otherwise solid Tanganga’s limitations were evident in Gameweek 3 against Watford, with his crossing wayward and his passing mostly unadventurous.

With Cristian Romero (£4.9m) and Davinson Sanchez (£4.5m) set to miss out in Gameweek 4 as a result of their international involvement over the last week and Tanganga’s services likely needed at centre-back, Royal may be pressed into action quickly at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

It’s probably best to given the Brazilian a watching brief at first, as he seems like an unnecessary risk given the options already available to us. Reguilon remains the proven mid-price route into the Spurs defence for now, while Eric Dier (£4.6m) is a handy cut-price alternative while we weigh up who Romero will replace at centre-half and where Tanganga and Royal stand in the right-back pecking order.

In the medium term, the combination of heavy-duty defensive work in Nuno’s counter-attacking set-up and semi-regular chance creation could help Royal on the Bonus Points System (BPS). Reguilon, for example, has already accrued as many bonus points (four) this season as he did in the whole of 2020/21.

Royal’s aerial prowess, both in terms of clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBIs) and at the other end of the pitch (over 25% of his attempts for Betis were headers), is also something to watch out for.

NOMINATED FOR ‘BEST IN FANTASY FOOTBALL’ AT THE FOOTBALL CONTENT AWARDS 2021

2021 Finalists Announced - Football Content Awards

VOTE FOR FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT BY
CLICKING HERE

434 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Wow Kane

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wow Szczesny

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Unreal goal.

  2. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Kane G

  3. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Kane essential

  4. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Gents,
    Current team:
    Sanchez,
    TAA, Shaw, Mings
    Bruno, Salah, Grealish, Benrahma
    Toney, Ings, Antonio
    (Foster, Gilmour, Livramento, Tsim)

    2 FT's with 0.3m in bank, what would be the best option? Cheers!
    A: Toney, Ings &Grealish > Ronaldo, 4.5m ST & Gray
    B: Grealish, Salah &Toney > Jota, Torres, & Ronaldo
    C: Bruno, Ings > Greenwood & Ronaldo

    1. polis
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Surely you'll want Salah back for next two

      1. Slim25
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        You're probably right ahah, leaning towards C.

    3. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

      1. Slim25
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Reckon Ron will be on pens now?

    4. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

  5. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Kane into the top 5 of England all-time top goalscorers

  6. JohnnyRev7
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Wow!

    Posted a valid response into another user's question. No swear words. Nothing.

    "Your post has gone to moderation".

    11 years a member so excuse me if I ask politely:

    WTF is wrong with you people?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Elaborate?

      1. JohnnyRev7
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Original Pirate Material Wrote:

        "Nailedness worries me though."

        JohnnyRev7 wrote:

        "And it should. Go Sarr. He'll outscore Torres over GW4-7.

        Mostly because he starts, he's Watford's talisman and he has pens."

        And with that comment I get modded.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Surely not

          1. JohnnyRev7
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            True. Orange FFS Agent appeared.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Snowflakes are us

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Need more context than that

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          You didn't slip an "i" in that last word?

          1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Pensi?

    4. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Help needed! Which option?

      A) Wilson -> Jimenez
      B) Bruno & Wilson -> Traore & Ronaldo (-4)
      C) Save FT & play Livramento

      1. Geordie19
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Similar dilemma to me as it feels weird to take Bruno out for a -4 but it depends if by doing that -4, whether you’ll be better set up for the next few weeks and if you’d captain ronaldo.
        I’m
        Considering a -8 of Wilson, Ings Bruno to ronaldo, DCL and Jota as I feel they will score more than 8 over the next 3 weeks

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Pickford Lol

      1. Billybigspuds
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        TBF he ain’t let much in in an England shirt

    6. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Pickford, lol.

    7. Paddyburns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez - Schmeichel
      Shaw - Reguilon - TAA
      Son - Bruno - Alli - Raphina
      Ings - Wilson - Antonio

      1 FT 1,9 ITB

      Would you do WC here?

      Cheers

    8. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Torres ready to be bench next GW? 240 minutes for Spain during the IB….

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Benched

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Risk but scored again tonight

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Always a risk but Jesus out helps him

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Guess we should know about Jesus next day or so

        2. King Kun Ta
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Point taken

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Issue I have is I can’t get excited about a Torres alternative as mount , benrahma , troare etc options but prefer Torres

    9. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Still lingering over the trigger, would love some thoughts on below. Would you WC or do one of the other moves?

      Current team
      Sanchez Steele
      TAA Shaw Dier White Amartey
      Salah Bruno Son Benrahma Gilmour
      Antonio Ings Obafemi

      WC
      Sanchez Steele
      TAA Semedo Dier White Livramento
      Salah Jota Torres Benrahma Allan
      Ronaldo DCL Antonio

      A: WC (Benrahma/Semedo could be Raph/Marcal)
      B: Ings > DCL
      C: Ings Bruno > Ronaldo Torres/Jota (-4)
      D: Ings Son > Ronaldo Sarr/Traore (-4)
      E: Roll FT and assess next week

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        WC

    10. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Whoops

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Panic panic panic and panic

    11. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Same old England

    12. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Southgate not making changes when players are tired, typical!

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Subs are his main weakness, so predictable

        1. Wheyyyy
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Why does he not make any subs, I just don't understand?

    13. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Exactly the game England needed. Really tough game. Poland have been superb. Good lesson this.

    14. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Dammit!

    15. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Scotland the only British side to win in this round of matches. Gilmour the star.

    16. Wheyyyy
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Can someone please explain why he doesn't use any subs? Poland used 5 and it was so predictable that they were going to come back. Every game is the same team, same (if any) subs. Has there been any interviews with him regarding his tactics, I'd love to hear them.

    17. Jump in Micah
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Son & Antonio > Sarr & Ronaldo?

      1. polis
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Getting rid of Antonio is ballsy

        1. Jump in Micah
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Yep had him from GW1 but fixtures not great and he’s not going to get 10pts each week

          1. polis
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            I'd still hold him. Massive value, particularly if you've owned from week 1.

            Sadly he'll probably break down at some point. That's when to move him.

    18. Chrisitis
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Grealish many minutes
      Torres many minutes
      Sterling many minutes
      Mahrez many minutes + long travel
      Bernardo many minutes
      Gundogan many minutes
      Jesus long travel

      Just start with the same team again?

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Torres is a risk worth taking right now

      2. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Crickey who knows who Pep will pick then !

    19. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Strongest team I've come up with on my WC. Only player really missing is DCL who is carrying an injury anyway. 0.4 ITB also.

      Sanchez
      TAA Shaw White
      Salah Greenwood Jota Torres Gray
      Ronaldo Antonio
      Steele Coady Ayling Scarlett

      1. polis
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Solid. 3 rotation risks in midfield but you know that already.

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Yep but they are playing up top for three of the best teams in the league

      2. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Think it’s got weaker personally

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          In what ways?

          1. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Greenwood jota Torres have all got rotation risks - with two of those looking at tough fixtures in the short-mid term

            Vs dcl, bamford on the other hand with a much better run and security

    20. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno & Ings to Ronnie & Torres for free? Do it now before the priserise tonight?

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        No ones rising?

    21. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Odds on scoring GW4… benrahma 25% chance mount 28% and Torres 35%

    22. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      So should I get a Brazilian or not?

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        A Paul Hollywood would be safer bet.