Antonio Conte has been set on using wing backs in a 3-4-2-1 system at Tottenham as his side search for a new DNA and an exciting brand of football.
It is a style that the Italian has been keen to implement in north London in order to become successful and competitive.
And in January, Conte was desperate to sign Adama Traore from Wolves to use as a right wing back in the current system, with the Spaniard’s pace and power seemingly a perfect fit for the role.
However, Traore instead joined Barcelona, leaving Spurs with Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty as their wing back options, with the pair having been the club’s two main right back’s this season.
But it has been the latter who has stepped up in recent weeks and after an impressive display in Tottenham’s 5-0 thrashing of Everton on Monday night, Conte may have already had his perfect right wing back solution right under his nose in the form of the Irishman.
Can Matt Doherty be a long-term solution to Tottenham’s right wing-back position? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Doherty has been second choice to summer signing Emerson for the majority of this season, being limited to first team appearances in domestic cup competitions and the Europa Conference League.
The former Wolves man has made just 10 Premier League appearances this season but has started the last two games for Spurs, and has certainly grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
The 30-year-old was thrown into the starting lineup in the 4-0 victory away to Leeds United on February 26 and made an instant impact by opening the scoring after just 10 minutes.
And he was rewarded for his performance at Elland Road by retaining his starting spot in Monday’s 5-0 thrashing of Everton, in which he provided the assists for both of Harry Kane’s goals.
The first was the pick of the bunch, as Doherty produced a sublime, defence-splitting pass to send Kane through on goal to make it 3-0, before he then picked out the England international again in the second half to volley home his floated cross to round-off the scoring.
As per Football Fancast, he completed 52 passes, created two big chances, made four key passes, completed four long balls, completed one dribble, won eight of his ten duels, made five tackles, made two interceptions and won one free-kick for his side against the Toffees.
Despite Kane ultimately grabbing the headlines for the victory, Doherty was certainly an unsung hero and his display has not gone unnoticed.
Following his two recent performances, Doherty looks to have taken his chance at right wing-back and Conte is most likely to stick with him for Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford in the hope he will continue his impressive run.
The Republic of Ireland international knows he must continue to perform if he is to have a future in north London beyond this season and should he hold down that starting spot for the remainder of the campaign, then he will have every chance of achieving that.
Conte has a skill of getting the best out of players who had seemingly faded. He did with Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso at Chelsea and could now be doing the same again with Doherty at Spurs.
