Tottenham star Richarlison was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer
Tottenham Hotspur have had several issues with player availability this campaign.
Injuries have started piling up in recent weeks, directly affecting the team’s performance levels. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is the latest player to enter the treatment room, joining Richarlison and Wilson Odobert on the sidelines for months.
As far as Richarlison is concerned, Ange Postecoglou has been without his services since Spurs’ 4-1 win over Aston Villa. The Brazilian forward has barely played this season, clocking only 88 minutes across five Premier League games so far this term, thereby, failing to provide backup for club-record signing Dominic Solanke.
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Tottenham confirmed last month that Richarlison had suffered a “significant hamstring injury” and would be out “long-term”, having only just returned from a two-month absence due to a groin problem. This is his eighth injury since arriving at the North London club from Everton in the summer of 2022.
The South American star was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the past summer transfer window; however, he was not keen to make the move to the Middle East. Instead, he decided to stay at Spurs and fight for his position under Ange Postecoglou.
Now, The Athletic journalist Jay Harris claims that Tottenham should have cashed in on Richarlison over the summer owing to his fitness issues and chronic inconsistency.
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Indeed, Big Ange had no options on the bench to change the game against Fulham as Spurs’ lack of attacking depth laid bare. They looked devoid of bite and ideas to unlock the Cottagers’ defence again, leading to another tale of dropped points at home.
It is a real shame that Richarlison has not been able to live up to the lofty expectations of the White Hart Lane faithful. While the Brazilian showed a competitive attitude by rejecting a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League and staying at N17, the chiefs at the Hotspur Way must devise a plan to get him off the club’s books in January or after the end of the campaign.
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If the North Londoners are to improve and win trophies, they have to find ways to move on players from past managers. And Richarlison has to be among the names at the top of that list.