Japhet Tanganga’s strong start to the season was seemingly influential in the decision by Tottenham Hotspur to not sign Takehiro Tomiyasu. 

The Lowdown: Tanganga impresses as Royal signs

Spurs were linked with Tomiyasu during the transfer window as Nuno Espirito Santo sought to add quality to the right-back position.  

However, the Japan international - who was dubbed "amazing" by football commentator Ben Mabley, joined north London rivals Arsenal for £16m on the final day of the window as Emerson Royal was brought in instead for £25.73m from Barcelona. 

Tanganga started the opening three games of the season and was impressive in an unfamiliar right-back role as Spurs earned three straight 1-0 victories over Manchester City, Wolves and Watford to go top of the Premier League table, earning a solid 6.96 WhoScored average rating for his performances.

The Latest: Ability to excel 

In an article published by The Athletic (via The Spurs Web), Tanganga’s strong start to the season was a telling factor in the decision not to bring in Tomiyasu. 

Royal’s attacking qualities and prowess, alongside the Englishman's ‘ability to excel in the defensive right-back role’, means that Spurs now have three solid choices at right-back with Matt Doherty still at the club. The report added that Nuno didn’t think the Ireland defender was effective enough at moving the ball’ when at Wolves. 

The signing of Royal may mean the end of Tanganga’s stint at right-back, but with his natural position being in the centre of defence, he could be considered to partner Davinson Sanchez in the coming months. 

The Verdict: Good call by Daniel Levy 

Once praised by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for his 'very impressive' Premier League debut, Tanganga has been one of Spurs’ best players in the first month of the season and it may have seemed unfair if he were suddenly dropped. However, the arrival of attacking wing-back Royal could mean that the 22-year-old gets to play more often in the centre of defence. 

At the moment, Spurs only have Sanchez, new signing Cristian Romero, Joe Rodon and Eric Dier as centre-back options to sit in front of Lloris.  

With his impressive performances in recent weeks, Tanganga will have impressed Nuno in the early days of his reign and has warranted the chance to continue playing. It seems that Spurs chief Daniel Levy was right to opt out of signing Tomiyasu given how well the English youngster has performed.

In other news, Spurs given potential boost over one summer target - find out more here.