Micah Richards answers own question on Pedro Porro as Tottenham can activate beast mode

Roberto De Zerbi will like what he has seen from Tottenham Hotspur star Pedro Porro at the World Cup so far.

Porro has often stood out for Tottenham sides that have underperformed for far too long now.

The full-back has caught the eye for Spain in FIFA's global showpiece, too, having scored one and helped his side keep a clean sheet in each of his three outings.

He is now in line to start Friday's quarter-final tie with Belgium in Los Angeles.

Micah Richards has certainly been impressed and has pondered why Porro perhaps does not get the same acclaim at Spurs.

However, the pundit went on to answer his own question in the same sentence.

Why Pedro Porro can be part of winning team next season

Porro has been hailed as a Tottenham captain in waiting given his displays for club and country.

There was little to smile about for Tottenham last season, but that was not down to Porro but rather many of his teammates.

Speaking on The Rest is Football on Friday, Richards said of Porro at the World Cup: "He looks a completely different player.

"Yes, he's always got energy [at Tottenham] and can get up and down, but he's doing it with real quality [for Spain].

"I don't know if it's because he's playing with higher-quality players."

That last sentence very much answers Richards' own question.

Porro has Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal ahead of him for the national team, with Rodri offering protection.

The good news for Spurs fans is that some top-quality additions are being recruited this summer.

The hope is that the right-hand side can be further strengthened, which is the only thing stopping Porro from entering beast mode right now.

Why Porro could be Tottenham's highest-ranked player

As per Sofascore, Porro was Tottenham's third-best player last season in terms of average rating with 6.90.

Joao Palhinha (7.02) was second, but he will not be returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Cristian Romero was the top-ranked player, even if many won't agree, with 7.11.

However, Romero is also heading for the Tottenham exit, meaning Porro will be the 'best' player at Spurs from those left from last season.

Porro led the way in many metrics at Tottenham last season and, while his three direct goal involvements was not exactly high, that will improve with better-quality players to convert chances.

We have seen at the World Cup, where he is averaging 2.7 tackles per game (the third-best among Spain players) and 1.3 interceptions (second best) that he can very much combine defending with attacking.

Give Porro the quality players he needs around him, and he too could be very much like a new signing at Spurs.