Ange Postecoglou labels Tottenham ace a ‘goalmouth monster’ after 90% display v Nottingham Forest
It might have taken him some time, but Tottenham striker Richarlison is finally finding his feet in north London.
Following his brace against Newcastle United, the Brazillian got himself on the scoresheet once again as he headed Spurs ahead on the stroke of half-time during their 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Friday (15 December).
With three goals in two games, this is undoubtedly the striker’s best period in a Tottenham shirt since he sealed a big-money switch from Everton last summer.
Spurs supporters will feel that it is about time the 26-year-old begins to deliver and would have perhaps been starting to lose patience with the forward, but his manager’s comments suggest he always had faith in his number nine.
Speaking after the win against Forest, Ange Postecoglou told the media, “Richarlison is a goalmouth monster. I’m really pleased with him in training and I was confident that he could go out there and do a job for us,” (The Mirror, 16 December).
“Richy has been good again tonight, not an easy game we weren’t going to get a lot of space and his impact is in the box, it was a great ball and that’s what Richy is really good at. He’s in a better space physically and mentally.”
If Richarlison’s mental and physical improvements mean his best is yet to come in a Tottenham shirt, then fans certainly have plenty to be excited about going forward after his performance at The City Ground.
With his side up against it, the former Toffees forward stepped up right before the break and headed in Dejan Kulusevski’s wonderful cross – a crucial moment that came arguably against the run of play and changed the course of the match.
What will delight Postecoglou most is the Brazillian’s improvement on the ball. At times this season, his passing accuracy has been in the 70s and sometimes even 60s, but on this occasion, he managed to complete 90 per cent of his passes, which represents a significant improvement in his overall play (Sofascore).
Playing in a Postecoglou team means defending high and pressing from the front, an area of the game in which Richarlison excels, as his defensive stats prove. Against Steve Cooper’s side, the striker won three ground duels, and one aerial duel and made two tackles as well as an interception as he constantly looked to put himself about and trouble the Forest defence.
Should he continue on this positive upward trajectory, he might just be able to turn his career in the capital around, and will be hoping to continue doing just that against his former side Everton when the two sides meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 23 December.
In other Tottenham news, a Spurs expert has labelled a potential signing linked with the club in recent days as a “no-brainer.”