Emerson Royal believes patience is key as he continues to learn and adapt to life at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 23-year-old has made 37 appearances for Spurs since arriving from Barcelona last summer. Signed as a regular right-back for Nuno Espirito Santo, the Brazil international has had to adapt to Antonio Conte's system which requires him to become a wing-back, a role he has little experience in.
Attacking is not Emerson's forte but he has been gradually adjusting to Conte's demands and as the only fit right-sided defender with Matt Doherty out injured for the rest of the season he is back in the team and getting a run of starts. On Sunday, his performance against Leicester City was one of his best in recent months.
READ MORE: Son Heung-min reveals what Cristian Romero has been doing behind the scenes with Spurs players
With four matches remaining, the Brazilian believes that he has learned plenty in his first campaign n the Premier League and that patience is needed for the process.
"It’s been a productive season and one where I’ve learned a lot. I came from a different league and physicality, but I think I’ve been adapting well," he said in an interview for Tottenham's newsletter. "You want fast results but have to understand there is a process to respect, but I think it’s gone well."
Emerson scored his first Tottenham goal with a close range finished against Newcastle, although he thought he had scored in the FA Cup win against Brighton when his cross was deflected into the net by Solly March, only for the Seagulls player to be awarded an own goal.
When discussing his strike against Newcastle though, the full-back clearly is still claiming that goal against Brighton, saying: "[The goal against Newcastle] was similar to my goal in the FA Cup, it was special and I had goosebumps. My family was there too which made it even more special."
Sunday's victory against Leicester will also have brought back memories for Emerson of the dramatic victory at the King Power Stadium with Steven Bergwijn's two stoppage time goals earlier in the season.
"It was unbelievable, we couldn’t believe things would go our way," he recalled. "Stevie scored a goal and that gave us new hope and I remember at the end I ran to the pitch as I’d been subbed. It was like a final!"
