Tottenham to face Richarlison unrest after deadline day development
Richarlison has had a promising start to the season at Tottenham in recent weeks.
The Brazilian has been trusted to lead the line for the Lilywhites in their opening few games, with Dominic Solanke still sidelined with an injury.
Richarlison has been one of Spurs’ most impressive performers so far this term, and has certainly done enough to suggest that he is deserving of a second chance in N17.
The striker has looked to be back to his best since Thomas Frank came into the building, but that could be about to change after deadline day.
Richarlison to feel aggrieved by Kolo Muani arrival at Tottenham
Frank’s influence at Spurs has unlocked Richarlison once again, and he has reminded everyone of his quality with his recent displays.
The former Everton star netted a brace in the opening day win over Burnley, which included a stunning scissor kick, and he followed that up with a typically industrious and tireless showing in the victory at Manchester City.
His early-season form should be enough to keep him ahead of Solanke in the pecking order when he returns to the fold, but he will not have been pleased by Spurs’ move to sign Randal Kolo Muani on deadline day.
- Kolo Muani hit eight goals from 16 starts during his loan at Juventus last season
- He previously notched 37 goal contributions in a single season for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022/23
- PSG paid an initial fee of around £64million to sign him in 2023
The Frenchman has arrived on loan from PSG and is primarily a striker, although he can also operate on the left wing if needed.
From Richarlison’s perspective, it will be frustrating to see another player arrive to provide competition in his position, when he has looked like making the spot his own so far in 2025/26.
It could drive the frontman on to even greater heights, but on the other hand, it could quickly see him grow frustrated and unsettled in the coming weeks.
Kolo Muani will surely displace Richarlison
Richarlison’s form for Tottenham is certainly encouraging, but the proof will be in whether he can sustain it over a prolonged period, something which he hasn’t been able to manage during his time in North London so far.
- Richarlison has surpassed 10 league goals in a season just once in his three years at Spurs
- He played just 500 minutes of Premier League football last term
With that in mind, it seems highly likely that Kolo Muani will ultimately displace him in the starting XI, given the quality that Spurs now have in the final third.
Brennan Johnson was their top scorer in all competitions last term, so it is highly unlikely that Frank will drop him from the side to make way for his new arrival on the left.
Equally, you don’t sign a player of that quality to leave him on the bench, so providing the new boss plans to stick to the 4-2-3-1 setup that we have seen so far, he will surely get the start at the top of the pitch.
Richarlison may well feel aggrieved by that, but Frank and his staff will rightly see competition for places as a crucial factor to drive high standards throughout the squad.
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