Ruthless Conte tipped to axe Tottenham star who has ‘no standout attributes’
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A brutal assessment of a Tottenham attacker has prompted talk Antonio Conte could oust a forward who’s fallen well below his best this season.
Tottenham were lauded in various circles for the decisive action they took in the last summer window. Ivan Perisic, back-up stopper Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison all arrived on either July 1 or before.
The headline attraction among that quartet was undoubtedly Richarlison who cost a hefty £60m (including future add-ons) upon joining from Everton.
The Brazilian can operate anywhere in a front three and earned his move thanks in large part to his heroics at the end of the previous campaign.
Indeed, Richarlison strapped Everton to his back in their time of need and scored six goals in a nine-game period down the stretch. His goals – including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Chelsea – helped Everton avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.
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The prospect of playing alongside superior quality players at Spurs will have been an enticing one for the forward. The fact he’s scored 10 goals in 10 games for Brazil in 2022 shows he can more than hold his own when surrounded by superstars.
However, two thirds of the way into the season and 16 appearances later, Richarlison is still yet to score his first league goal in a Tottenham shirt.
He’s generally been used from the bench, though that’s a consequence of his own poor form as much as anything else given Son Heung-min hasn’t been pulling up any trees either.
Richarlison never lacks for effort and ensures opposing defenders know they’ve been in a game. However, for a club hoping to lift silverware and qualify for the Champions League, Conte needs his forwards to do more than just put themselves about.
Now, speaking to Football Insider, pundit and former Aston Villa forward, Gabby Agbonlahor, has delivered a brutal assessment of Richarlison.
Agbonlahor pulled no punches when stating four elements in the Brazilian’s game are sub-standard.
Agbonlahor also reckons Richarlison’s under-par first season could prove fatal come the summer.
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“Son has had an impact off the bench in the last two games,” said Agbonlahor. “But Richarlison has got to wake up.
“He wasn’t great against West Ham or Chelsea – and that’s been a theme of his season.
“When you watch him, you struggle to see what he’s good at. He’s got no standout attributes.
“He’s not quick, he’s not a great finisher, he can’t hold the ball up, he can’t pass that well.
“I feel that he could be someone that Spurs look to move on. He’s not showing himself to be good enough for where they want to go.”
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