Tottenham Hotspur striker, Richarlison, is back to his boisterous best. The Brazilian could not live up to the expectations of the Spurs’ fans in his debut season. He also struggled with depression at the start of this season but his latest stint, in which he has netted four goals in the last three matches, suggest that Ange Postecoglou is bringing the best out of him.
The Brazilian forward has risen to power, just at the right time for the North London club. After losing James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to injuries in their 1-4 loss to Chelsea, Tottenham went winless for another four matches, out of which they lost three. Their best start to the season since 1960-61, which saw them muster 26 points in the first 10 matches, came under scrutiny.
Their new Australian manager was under pressure. The 58-year-old made a minute change in the line-up. He shifted club captain Heung-min Son to the left flank, and introduced Richarlison in the number nine position.
The 26-year-old did justice to the position and bagged a brace in Tottenham’s illustrious 4-1 win against Newcastle, which was a sweet revenge of their 1-6 loss to the Magpies in the prevailing season. In the matches to follow, he scored a goal each, in Spurs’ 2-0 and 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest and Everton respectively.
Son is really impressed by the current form of his teammate. “He is always hungry for goals and for work. If he carries on like this, he can be one of the greatest strikers in the Premier League.” stated the South Korean forward after Spurs’ 2-1 win over Everton.
Richarlison’s 92 FBref percentile in non-penalty goals suggest that he is one of the most lethal forwards in Europe. If Postecoglou could manage him right, he could play a key role for the London club in the second half of the season.
Tottenham currently sit at the fourth spot with 36 points in 18 matches, just four points behind the league leaders and their arch rivals Arsenal (40). Maddison is expected to return to the squad in mid January and Postecoglou could sign a defender in the January transfer window. If Richarlison and Son continue their unprecedented run, then Spurs could give their opponents a run for their money.
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