Paul Robinson: Richarlison victim of his own versatility at Tottenham
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Richarlison has been a victim of his own versatility at Tottenham, according to Paul Robinson.
Spurs signed Richarlison, 26, for £60million from Everton last summer but the Brazilian’s spell in North London has so far been marred by poor form.
Last term, Tottenham finished eighth in the Premier League with Richarlison getting on the scoresheet just once in the competition.
He was played in a number of roles, too. According to transfermarkt, Richarlison played 13 times on the right wing, six times as a striker, five times behind the striker and three times on the left.
The ex-Watford star has continued to face criticism this term with Ange Postecoglou starting him seven times in the Premier League, three times up front and four times on the left wing.
Robinson believes Richarlison has struggled to take off in North London due to a lack of consistent game time in the same position.
“I think that [Richarlison starting out wide] is something that he’s looked at, and in recent history that’s been probably to Richarlison’s detriment, I think he likes playing as a nine,” Robinson told Tottenham News.
“At the start of the season, that’s where the manager probably saw him playing. But Son has played so well and he’s scored the amount of goals that he has in that system with Son playing as a nine, it’s allowed him to move Richarlison further back.
“Like I said, Richarlison, to his own detriment, that’s what he’s had to do throughout his career. Whether it’s wide right, wide left, in the number ten role, his versatility at times has cost him his position as a nine. Yes he’s good, he’s lively, he’s sharp going forward, he causes trams problems, and when he’s at it, he looks like a really, really top player. But when Son’s playing the way he plays, you play him as a nine, and Richarlison then gets put right or left which, at times, he’d rather play as a nine.
“At the moment, in that Tottenham team, it’s a case of if you want to play in the team you’ve got to play well because the team is playing extremely well. I think he’d play anywhere to play in the team at the moment.”
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou potentially faces a midfield selection dilemma against Chelsea.