Paul Robinson: Richarlison ready to step up for Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou
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 has insisted that Ange Postecoglou can use his “excellent” man-management skills to get the best out of Richarlison at Tottenham.
The former Spurs keeper believes the Brazilian will start the Premier League clash with Sheffield United, with a great chance to get on the scoresheet.
The striker has returned from an international break where he was pictured crying after failing to score, after a season already hampered by small injuries.
“I think it’s Postecoglou’s man management skills with him,” he exclusively told Tottenham News. “Richarlison wears his heart on his sleeve, whatever team he plays for, he cares passionately about his football and you can see that.
“He’s struggled for goals, there’s no hiding away from that, but I think he’s been the victim of being so versatile. He plays out wide, left and right, he can play as the number 10, he played as a number nine if Harry Kane wasn’t fit.
“He picked up a slight knock so didn’t start the Burnley game. Then Son started and scored a hat trick.
“There was an opportunity there for Richarlison to potentially get some goals, but he came off the bench in that game and he didn’t look sharp, he didn’t look like he had a spark, but the manager needs to get it out of him.
“I think if anybody can, Ange Postcoglou can. His man management skills have already been proven to be excellent, the noises you hear coming out of the dressing room, how well he treats players, how well players respond to him.
“Richarlison will respond to a manager like that. Giving him game time starting him in games and letting him know that he’s going to play every week will be the biggest thing that you can do for him and give him the opportunity to score the goals.”
“No, I think Richardson will play this weekend,” Robinson confessed when asked if Postecoglou will stick with Son up top. “It’s a perfect opportunity to play him and potentially get him on the scoresheet.
“No disrespect to Sheffield United at home, but they’ve had a really poor start to the season. Playing them at home gives Richarlison the perfect opportunity to get off the mark.
“Sonny has proven he can play that number nine role, he’s done it time and time again. There will be opportunities where we will be played there again at some point in the season.
“But for me, Richarlison is coming off the back of an international break fit, sharp and ready to play.”
In other Tottenham news, John Wenham has predicted where Spurs could finish after their blistering league start.