He was playing like Emerson Royal: Why £12m Spurs star is now their best player

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Tottenham Hotspur's relegation battle rages on. Against Leeds United, supporters slumped back, dismayed, after yet another fumble in the fight for survival.

How many times have Spurs had golden opportunities to save themselves over the past few weeks? More pertinently: how many more chances will Roberto De Zerbi's side get?

There has, at least, been a noticeable upswing from a number of Spurs stars since De Zerbi arrived in March. Back-to-back Premier League away wins have pulled the Londoners ahead of their rivals West Ham United, who hold 18th place with two matches left to go.

This is going right down to the wire, but Tottenham have new life, the wind in their sails at the crucial closing stages.

Spurs' biggest winners under De Zerbi

Tottenham have the lead in the race against relegation, ahead of West Ham, with the midfield, in particular, recharged now that Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher have combined in the middle of the park.

Yes, Spurs are embattled and ravaged by injuries, but they are also fighting, punch by punch, for survival, and this revamped engine room is charging the way.

Tottenham are on an upward trajectory under De Zerbi's wing, but the Italian coach is not a miracle worker, and it is far too premature to say that the London club will play their football in the Premier League next season.

One of the markers of his impact has been the improvements seen across players hitherto written off. Gallagher and Bentancur among them, but there's one man in particular who is coming up trumps for the new gaffer, having previously looked a little like former flop Emerson Royal.

Spurs' new Emerson is now De Zerbi's main man

Error-strewn Emerson struggled at Tottenham. Physical and athletically robust, he lacked the tactical understanding to flourish within Antonio Conte's system, failing to ever recover to the top standard. Pundit Jamie O'Hara even branded the versatile defender as a "liability".

Tottenham have conceded far too many goals this season. They have been far too porous at the rear, one of many issues which may pull them down.

And yet, while Antonin Kinsky has not yet altered that concerning metric, he is coming up clutch during the final knockings of the campaign, pulling off some big saves and putting in some strong performances in Guglielmo Vicario's absence.

Kinsky's Tottenham career could have been severed after that disastrous display against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. A series of mistakes knocked the 23-year-old well out of countenance, and it was the kind of mental blow that could send a rising star's career in a spin.

He looked "broken" under Tudor, according to journalist George Sessions, but The Czech goalkeeper is now emerging as one of the club's most important players.

This was emphasised against Leeds, that incredible last-gasp save ensuring De Zerbi went home with at least a seventh point from nine available in the Premier League, extending their lead over the Irons to two points. Commentator Ian Darke hailed his "astonishing reflexes"

So many thought Kinsky was done. After that Champions League disaster, the £12m signing certainly looked like a 'liability' in a similar vein to Brazilian full-back Emerson, but what mental fortitude to partner his skill and talent with his feet. This is a rising star who could play a big role in north London over the coming years.

Sure, the forwards aren't hitting the mark unerringly, but many of the best ones are out injured. There have been so many injuries down N17 this season.

But the midfield has been repurposed and is operating efficiently once again.

And Kinsky, between the sticks, is no longer Emerson-esque but a potential hero in this gravest of battles. Should Tottenham survive, this steel-willed shot-stopper could end up becoming a mainstay down Hotspur Way for many years to come.