Conte’s system is predicated on creative attacking wing backs, it always has been. Royal can’t do shit going forward and it makes half the field a dead zone for us.I think there’s a bit of confirmation bias at play here, as we’re all desperate for him to do well.
He comes alive with the ball at his feet, he he’s quite passive off the ball. I don’t get the impression that he’s entirely comfortable when he needs to press his man, and there’s a touch of the TAA’s about him in terms of positional awareness.
Still doesn’t excuse his lack of play for us, but I can see why Conte might not trust him. Emerson commands his area far better. He’s just an absolute clown when he passes the halfway line.
Perisic doesn’t control his area, he’s an awful defender who has cost us regular this year. You accept that because he’s good going forward.
Spence is by far the best fit to play Conte’s system and unlike Emerson he’s actually familiar playing wingback. The only reason Spence hasn’t played this season is because Conte is pissy he didn’t get whoever his first choice option was and he judged the lad before Spence ever stepped on the training pitch.
Conte threw his toys out of the pram and it’s obviously cost us. It’s not like playing Emerson has made us solid at the back. We’re 13th in the league in goals conceded, the defense is a shambles.