'Loved by all': Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham have sold a 'really popular' player

Tottenham Hotspur could be busy on the transfer front over the next two weeks as Ange Postecoglou looks to fine-tune his squad.

Spurs have signed two new senior players so far this summer, bringing Dominic Solanke and Archie Gray to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham have also offloaded a number of players, either through sales, loans, or free transfers, and more could follow.

Now, Postecoglou has spoken about one of the players Spurs have sold this summer, singing his praises as a player and as an individual.

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Ange Postecoglou hails ‘super’ Emerson Royal

The player in question is Emerson Royal, who has left Tottenham to join AC Milan in a deal said to be worth £15million.

The Brazilian defender flew to Italy on Sunday to complete a medical and sign a five-year contract with the Rossoneri.

Postecoglou, speaking to football.london at his pre-Leicester City press conference, described Emerson as a “really popular” player and the “hardest worker” in training.

“Super guy, great pro again,” said the Spurs boss. “It is one of those decisions you have to make when you are trying to change squads.

“Really popular amongst the group and not just because he is a great guy. He didn’t play a lot last year in his preferred position, but you wouldn’t know it the way he trained every day.

“He is the hardest worker at training and really top guy. He is a guy you would want to spend time with. A big heart, loved by all and I think it is a fantastic move for him.

“He will love Milan, it is a big club he has gone to and it is one of those things that happen in football where it is not really an aspersion on him that he is not part of this. It is just other things aligned.

“I think it is a win for him and it allows us to continue rebuilding the squad in the way we want.”

Win-win for all parties

Sadly it hasn’t worked out for Emerson at Tottenham, but he clearly was a popular player at Spurs among the players and the coaches.

Postecoglou didn’t just praise Emerson a little in wake of his departure; he has lauded him highly. This shows how significant – and popular – he was at Hotspur Way.

This move is very much a win-win for all parties. Emerson joins a Champions League club, Milan get a solid player, and Tottenham get a player’s wage off their books, plus a transfer fee.