Richarlison has hit a dip in form at Tottenham Hotspur after the bright start to the season
Tottenham forward Richarlison appears to have lost his way under Thomas Frank after what looked like a promising start to the season. The Brazil international’s brace against Burnley on the opening day gave fans hope that he might finally cement the #9 role as his own. However, since that bright beginning, the 28-year-old has struggled to maintain form, proving his strong start may have simply been a brief purple patch.
The ex-Everton man has featured more often than he likely expected under Thomas Frank, and that workload could be one reason behind his dip in performances. Richarlison looked leggy and off the pace during Spurs’ Champions League clash with Bodo/Glimt, underlining the fact that the striker is in desperate need of a well-earned rest.
While he is determined to rediscover his best form and repay Thomas Frank’s faith by finding the net more consistently, the reality is that Richarlison may benefit from a spell on the bench. Reduced minutes and short cameos could help him rebuild confidence and sharpness as the season wears on.
Tottenham cannot continue playing Richarlison up top
Tottenham, meanwhile, are aiming to compete hard on all four fronts this season, and Frank will need every member of his squad firing at the right time. That includes Richarlison, whose struggles have come just as the Lilywhites hit a minor dip in form.
Now, Glenn Hoddle has cast doubts on the Brazilian’s ability to carry the frontline for an entire campaign. Speaking to TNT Sports (via TBR Football), Hoddle said,
“I think he’s a classic example of a number nine that needs another striker up there. Not necessarily to play with, but I think he needs that edge where he comes out of the team, maybe, he’s on the bench and still has an impact from the bench. Then you play him for another two or three games. I’m not sure he’s a player who can put your hat on the whole season, where he’s going to return you a load of goals.”
The Spurs legend added,
“He started the season like a house on fire; he scored the two goals, this is stunning (his second goal), and this will have given him all the confidence in the world. But I don’t think you can really say he’s my number nine for the whole season. Solanke getting injured, he would have played tonight.”
Glenn Hoddle has urged Thomas Frank to rethink how he uses Richarlison, suggesting that the Brazil international would be far more effective as an impact substitute rather than a guaranteed starter. While acknowledging his quick start to the new campaign, Hoddle believes the 28-year-old simply isn’t the consistent striker Spurs need if they are serious about closing the gap on their rivals.
It is fair to say that Richarlison has become something of a ‘bits and pieces’ player for Tottenham – flashes of promise but lacking sustained impact. Despite being handed plenty of opportunities at N17, he has struggled to prove himself as the long-term solution up front. And with Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani both set to return from injury in the near future, the Brazilian’s starting spot looks increasingly under threat.
