Emerson Royal might be leaving Tottenham Hotspur this summer, and the Brazilian has expressed how much he would miss a particular club teammate if he departs.
Royal has been a great support to Richarlison during tough times. The close bond between the two is evident from their frequent appearances together in photos and videos shared by the club.
In an interview with Rodrigo Castro for Brazilian media outlet EPTV (via Rede Globo), Royal emphasized the significance of his friendship with Richarlison.
“[He] is very special. He’s a very good kid, with a huge heart. We got really close last year,” Royal shared. “He had problems with his manager and was feeling really bad, he isolated himself from everyone… I was one of the people who managed to help him.
“I did psychological counselling, and that helped me a lot. I improved as a person. I told him about my experience and told him to try the same. We had lunch and dinner together. I took him out of the house.
“Being alone in this situation is really bad. It’s clear that he’s a different person now. It’s a great joy to see [him] like this today.”
Royal also stressed the importance of discussing mental health and seeking help from those around you.
As for his future at Spurs, the 25-year-old has been linked with a move away this summer, making it clear that he expects regular first-team football next season.
It would be unfortunate to see Royal and Richarlison separated given their strong friendship, but regardless of where they play, their bond is likely to remain intact.
Nevertheless, Royal needs to secure this transfer for the sake of his career, as he has limited chances of reclaiming his spot ahead of Pedro Porro.
