Tottenham's wing-backs just didn't have an impact on proceedings on Saturday afternoon as the team slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion. Winning seven of their previous nine league fixtures going into the clash, Antonio Conte's wing-backs had played a major part in their upturn in form.
Enduring such a frustrating time at the club following his move from Wolves in the summer of 2020 and having to make do with a bit-part role, Matt Doherty was enjoying the best period of his Spurs career during that run after forcing his way into the side. Grabbing a goal and an assist in the 4-0 drubbing of Leeds United at the end of February, the Republic of Ireland international followed it up with two assists against Everton and a further strike in the home win over Newcastle United.
However, Doherty was dealt a cruel blow just over a week ago after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the 4-0 win at Aston Villa following a challenge by Matty Cash. His absence meant Emerson Royal started on the right against Brighton, with Sergio Reguilon getting the nod at left wing-back.
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The duo had no influence in third final third and statistics shined a light on their struggles over the 90 minutes. Emerson did not put a single cross into the box nor did he make a single attempt to dribble the ball forward, while Reguilon, who had a lower passing success rate than anyone in the Spurs starting line-up barring Harry Kane, did not attempt a single dribble forward and also saw his one attempted cross not find its intended target.
Reguilon's performance could see Ryan Sessegnon restored to left wing-back for Saturday evening's game away at Brentford, but Conte has very few options when it comes to the right with Doherty injured. Academy player Marcel Lavinier was named on the bench last weekend but it would be a huge call to hand him his senior Premier League bow instead of Emerson.
Conte has also showed no sign that he will convert either Lucas Moura or Steven Bergwijn to play as a wing-back rather than a winger, as was the case with Victor Moses in his title winning Chelsea team in 2016/17. Emerson has been a regular in the Spurs team over the season and he looks set to remain there despite his woes in the final third unless the head coach springs a major surprise.
Well, one player who could be a wildcard option to play on the right if Conte feels a change is necessary is indeed Sessegnon. The 21-year-old has experience of operating from the right during his time at Fulham even though he is a left-sided player by trade.
In fact, Tottenham have even faced the England U21 international when he was utilised on the right by Slavisa Jokanovic during the Lilywhites' 3-1 win at Wembley in August 2018. Sessegnon registered an assist in that game having teed up Aleksandar Mitrovic to make it 1-1 just after half-time.
Scoring from his right-wing role against Cardiff City two months later, the Roehampton-born player also assisted another goal from the position in their defeat at Watford. Sessegnon has played one game on the right of a front three for England U21, again teeing up a goal for Eddie Nketiah.
Speaking to the media about the player shortly after his appointment as head coach, former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho also made it clear that Sessegnon can play from the right if required. It is a position we're yet to see him in at Tottenham, however.
"In this moment, yes," said the Portuguese in November 2019 when asked if he sees Sessegnon as an attacking player than a left-back. "I think Ryan is absolutely fantastic, I have known him since a kid in Fulham. When he comes to the first team in the Premier League it is different to the Championship.
"I think in this moment he is a winger on the left, can also play on the right, can learn progressively and even developing physically, which he is doing. Even last time I saw him and the first time I met him, when I came here he is already different physically.
"I think Ryan can play as a left-back. probably the left-back in the last decade was Ashley Cole, in spite of him being from two enemy clubs, but he was fantastic. But Ryan has lots of similarities with Ashley, and he can learn how to defend. In the future I think he can be (a left-back) but in this moment he is not ready to play as a left-back."
Tottenham's response after their defeat against Brighton is going to be key as they look to get their top-four ambitions back on track, with their wing-backs certainly needing to offer more than they did last weekend. Their struggles could in turn open up the door for Sessegnon to return on the left, although, as Mourinho pointed out, he can also be an option from the right if required.
Doherty's absence through injury has come at such a bad time for both the player and club but it is now down to Emerson to seize his chance and make his case ahead of next season. Failure to do that then Conte may have a very bold call to make at right wing-back.
