Throughout much of this season, Tottenham has struggled to pose a significant goal threat despite having a roster of costly strikers, overshadowed by injuries and managerial issues.
Recently, they managed to break a dismal streak of 15 Premier League matches without a victory, only to be hit by the loss of key players—first-choice striker Dominic Solanke and playmaker Xavi Simons—due to injuries.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has been vocal, urging the team to avoid blaming bad luck or indulging in self-pity.
Richarlison, currently Spurs’ leading scorer in the Premier League with nine goals, previously helped Everton escape relegation in 2022. His crucial goals included a memorable winner against Chelsea at Goodison Park, celebrated by throwing a smoke flare, cementing his status as a cult figure among Everton fans.
Expectations were high for the Brazilian forward to spearhead Tottenham’s battle against relegation, but his season has been hampered by a hamstring injury sustained during an FA Cup match against Villa, which sidelined him for six weeks. His campaign had started promisingly, with two goals against Burnley on the opening day.
“Richarlison is a remarkable individual because of his sensitivity,” De Zerbi commented. “I admire him both as a player and as a person. His emotions are transparent; you can see what he’s feeling through his expressions and eyes.”
Richarlison brandishes a flare after his crucial goal in Everton’s survival fight in 2022
In his first game as Spurs boss, De Zerbi started with Richarlison wide on the left against Sunderland but took him off after an hour, then left him on the bench, an unused substitute in the next game against Brighton.
At Wolverhampton Wanderers, Richarlison came on to replace injured Solanke just before half time and claimed an assist when his mis-hit shot was turned in by Joao Palhinha in the 82nd minute.
The goal secured three points for the first time since December and yet De Zerbi was disappointed with the performance of his team in the second half.
‘Two different games if you compare the statistics,’ said the 46-year-old Italian. ‘In the first half, we had total control of the game, 70 per cent ball possession. OK, two chances to score, not too many.
‘In the second half we lost more possession, we lost distances, we lost the balance of the game. We conceded four chances to score. We won the game, but in the second half we could lose the game.’
This offers an insight into the reason De Zerbi trusted Solanke to lead the line despite only three Premier League goals in a campaign disrupted by injuries, rather than Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani or Mathys Tel, who have all played at centre forward at times.
Standards have been disappointing across the board but Solanke, who injured a hamstring at Wolves and is not expected to play for Spurs again this season, has proved more adept with his back to goal, knitting others into the play and carrying the team up the pitch.
De Zerbi must now find alternatives. ‘We have to put him in the right condition to score,’ he said of Richarlison, before extending his point to others.
Tel has just three Premier League goals in 27 appearances this season, albeit still a better ratio than Kolo Muani – who has one in 26.
‘He is a potential big player, a potential big talent,’ said De Zerbi of Tel, who he wanted to sign while at Marseille but has yet to select to start for Spurs. ‘We have to help him become a top player because he has the right qualities to do that.
‘I am sorry because I have not used him in his favourite position. He played twice on the right wing, against Wolves and Brighton and his favourite position is left winger but at Wolves he was important to win the corner for the goal.’
Roberto De Zerbi says he has been forced to play Mathys Tel out of position – but praised him for his contribution in the much-needed win at Wolves last weekend
De Zerbi has been trying to cajole Kolo Muani and restore his confidence with video clips of the goals he scored before his moving to London from Paris Saint-Germain on loan, and mealtime pep talks at the training ground.
He also hoped 21-year-old Tel might respond positively to extra responsibility with others absent. ‘Maybe he can feel more comfortable because he can prepare his game for one week without the thoughts of whether he plays or not,’ said the Spurs boss.
Tel, who has not scored since January, claimed his first Spurs goal at Villa Park in the FA Cup last season after signing on loan from Bayern Munich.
‘It can be the right moment for him,’ added De Zerbi. ‘The players become great when they understand the right moment to become better. Xavi in my time here was becoming great. I could feel something different from him in personality and confidence, in performances as well.
‘I don’t know if the credit is mine but maybe he understood the right position, had the right confidence and the ideas of the coach so he made the most of the opportunity.’
With Simons out long term with damaged cruciate ligaments, the opportunity now belongs to others. Will anyone claim it?
