Tottenham: Emerson Royal plays down claims from his dad that he is ‘better suited to Real Madrid’

Tottenham defender Emerson Royal has hit back at claims from his father that he would be ‘better suited’ at a club like Real Madrid – insisting he has ‘never spoken to him’ about it. 

Royal has struggled to hold down a regular starting place at Spurs since signing from Barcelona for £25.8 million in 2021, and is currently on the sidelines nursing a knee injury he suffered while on international duty with Brazil. 

The Brazilian has suffered from inconsistent displays and the club signed Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon for £40m in January to increase doubt on his future. 

That led to the 24-year-old’s father claiming he was likely to leave the club and join a new team in the summer – talking up Real Madrid as a possible destination. 

But Royal has hit back and reiterated he is happy at Spurs, saying he and his father have never discussed an exit or move to Real Madrid.

Royal said: ‘Although he is entitled to his own opinion, I have never spoken to him about it and I have always made it clear that I am happy at Tottenham.

‘As a professional athlete, I am proud to represent the team that believed in me and gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills.’

His father Emerson Zulu had talked up the possibility of his son leaving north London, stressing he deserved to compete for titles and suggested Real Madrid as a club that would suit him. 

Speaking on the Charla Podcast, Zulu, who also acts as the player’s agent said: ‘There is a great possibility that Emerson will leave Tottenham.

Emerson Zulu thinks his son would be better suited at a club like Real Madrid than Spurs 

Royal’s last game came under Antonio Conte and missed the whole of Cristian Stellini’s reign down to a knee injury 

‘We believe it’s time for him to take a bigger leap and to go to a team that fights for titles. I think he fits a giant like Real Madrid.’

Royal has played 73 times for Spurs since making the move from LaLiga, scoring 3 goals but has failed to convince supporters as a long-term viable option. 

He last played for the club in Antonio Conte’s final game as boss, the 3-3 draw with Southampton last month, and has since missed the whole of Cristian Stellini’s interim manager reign with injury. 

Stellini was removed from his post following Tottenham’s humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday, with Ryan Mason taking charge of the first team for the remainder of the season.