Ange Postecoglou right to change his mind on Tottenham ace Richarlison, club no longer willing to let him go in January
What a few weeks it has been for Tottenham striker Richarlison in north London.
Just last month the Brazillian's career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looked to be dead and buried, yet, his unexpected resurgence is once again a reminder of just how quickly football can change.
After a dreadful first season in the capital following his mega-money move from Everton, supporters were hopeful that they would see a bit more this season from the forward.
Nonetheless, his season once again got off to a poor start and after 12 league appearances, he had only netted once for Ange Postecoglou's side, scoring an additional goal in the Carabao Cup.
Considering the money that was paid to bring him to Spurs, his performances were not up to scratch and a few people would have been beginning to wonder whether his time at the club was up, just over a year after joining.
However, with January just around the corner, it looks as if the 26-year-old has found his feet at just the right time, quite literally, as he netted a brace during the 4-1 win against Newcastle United on Sunday 10 December, a match which saw him score his first goals for the club with his feet, with his previous strikes all coming via his head.
It wasn't just his goals which caught the eye, but his overall performance which was perhaps his best in a Tottenham shirt to date. As per Sofascore, the former Evertonian completed 81 per cent of his passes, won four ground duels and made one tackle, one interception and one clearance.
He followed this up with another goal in the 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Friday 15 December, scoring in back-to-back games for the first time with Spurs, while also completing 90 per cent of his passes, winning three ground duels and making two tackles.
His goalscoring form looks to have come at the right time for Tottenham, with the club now reluctant to let him go. As reported by the Daily Mail online (18 December), while those in north London are aware the Saudi Pro League would still like to recruit Richarlison, Spurs "would be loath to lose him at this juncture."
It looks as if the Brazil international isn't going anywhere, and will continue to have the opportunity to prove that he was worth the money paid to Everton for him.