Tottenham backed to sign new forward to replace Son Heung-min – BBC Sport pundit
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…
Paul Robinson admits he’d be “worried” if Tottenham were left relying on Richarlison for goals with Son Heung-min set for the Asia Cup in the New Year.
The Brazilian has scored three times in the past two victories over Newcastle and Nottingham Forest but the BBC Sports pundit still isn’t confident in him because he “hasn’t been good enough” since arriving from Everton two summers’ ago.
As such, the former England keeper expects Ange Postecoglou to go into the transfer market in January to sign a new forward player.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News he said: “I think they’ll go into the market in January for another one, whether it’s a wide attacking player or a direct number nine.
“I’ve spoken about Richarlison for a long time. Is he ready? Can he take his chance? He seems to for Brazil. He plays extremely well as a nine for Brazil. Scores goals.
“After the Newcastle game, he’s scored two goals and he looked like the player we’d all be waiting and expecting to see.
“But he doesn’t do it on a regular basis. He hasn’t been good enough. Without Son, I’d be worried going into a month or two of the season with Richarlison to rely on for goals.
“Because he’s proven in his time at the club that he doesn’t score the goals that’s required. The Newcastle game, yes absolutely he did, that performance was up there as one of the best he’s had at the football club, but he hasn’t done it on a regular basis.
“It’s a little bit unfair to him because he plays wide left and right, and as a 10 and a nine, but because of his versatility he’s not a guaranteed, regular starter in any position.
“If he can take that Newcastle form on and go on a run of games where he’s playing well and scoring then yeah he could fill the void, but on previous history at the moment without Son, I think the team would struggle for goals.”
If recent goalscoring performances are a sign of things to come then it may be that the £60million investment [Sky Sports] is set to pay off at just the right time.
But with Son’s departure for midseason international duty as well as exits to the Africa Cup of Nations expected, on top of the extensive injuries and suspensions, there are bound to be fears of a lack of firepower.
Harry Kane’s exit in the summer didn’t appear to have had too much of a negative effect for the opening three months this season, but with Son away too Postecoglou would be looking light in the forward areas in January.
In other Tottenham news, Gary Neville was blown away by one Spurs ace who he felt is “so, so good”.