Ange Postecoglou to hand Richarlison rare start v Chelsea as new Tottenham injury blow emerges
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will hand Richarlison his first start Premier League start since February against Chelsea, according to Alan Hutton.
Spurs make the trip across London to face Mauricio Pochettinho’s side on Thursday (2 May) as they look to get back to winning ways in the league following disappointing defeats to both Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Postecoglou will be without both Ben Davies and Timo Werner after the Lilywhites boss revealed both players will miss the remainder of the season having picked up injuries in Spurs’ 3-2 North London derby defeat last time out [James Olley, 1 May].
Richarlison was introduced midway through the second half of the clash with the Gunners and while it appears Postecoglou is managing his workload, Hutton expects the Brazilian to start with Son Heung-min moving over to the left wing.
“I think he’s another option,” Hutton told Tottenham News.
“He gives you that willingness, he wants to run, harry and chase and win the ball high up the field and again the manager likes that. With Werner out, he could move Son back to the left and bring in Richarlison, I think he gives you something a little bit different from when Son is there.
“There could be one or two changes, he brought in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur played as well. Does he go back to Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr? There are options for him there.
“There are probably a few situations that he will be looking at and monitoring before the next game, but they need to go and get a good result and a good performance.”
Will Ange Postecoglou start Richarlison for Tottenham showdown with Chelsea after Timo Werner injury?
Richarlison’s season has been hampered by injuries, particularly in the second half of the campaign, but when the Brazilian has been fit he has been one of Postecoglou’s most reliable attackers.
In just 17 Premier League starts this term, the 26-year-old has 10 goals and three assists. While his recent fitness record could well be a cause for concern, the striker is arguably the closest Tottenham have to a Harry Kane replacement.
Son has impressed when utilised as a central striker, but the South Korean is typically at his best when deployed from the left flank. With Werner out and Richarlison chomping at the bit, these changes couldn’t make much more sense.
While Postecoglou has insisted that he isn’t worried about a top-four finish this season, Spurs need to get back to winning ways to keep their Champions League hopes alive. It won’t be easy against Chelsea, but this is definitely a winnable game.
In other Tottenham news, Sergio Reguilon wants to “get out” of Spurs despite a new transfer update emerging at Brentford
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