Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly already considering selling Matt Doherty, despite only leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.
The 29-year-old has endured a difficult start to life in north London, and has struggled for regular game time under Jose Mourinho.
He was expected to become a regular following his £15 million move from Molineux, but he’s been unable to dislodge Serge Aurier for the most part, making appearances here and there.
According to ESPN, Mourinho now has doubts about whether Doherty can be a success at the club.
It seems as though Doherty has struggled to adapt to the most commonly used system at Spurs, which is a traditional flat back four.
At Molineux, Doherty became a household name operating as a right wing-back, but he just hasn’t been able to show what made him so good in Nuno Espirito Santo’s system.
Doherty struggles highlight difference between wing-back and full-back
The Doherty at Tottenham really is a shadow of his former self, but it isn’t his fault.
Playing as a wing-back for so long then undoubtedly makes it very difficult to make a smooth transition to become a full-back.
The two positions are totally different, and it’s no surprise he hasn’t been able to oust Aurier.
He obviously isn’t a bad player, but one wonders if the writing may be on the wall knowing how ruthless Mourinho can be.