Richarlison started a Premier League game for Tottenham Hotpur for the first time in over two months and has shown his value.
Spurs’ current situation is critical. Last Sunday’s impressive draw against Liverpool stopped a run of six consecutive defeats across all competitions.
They were also enduring their heaviest losing streak in the Premier League in over 20 years. Despite not getting the three points at Anfield, their performance left fans encouraged. But it also made a few things clear.
Maybe it was the appointment of Igor Tudor, maybe it was the fact that the Croatian couldn’t get an immediate reaction out of his squad. But it now feels obvious for everyone inside and outside the club that they are in a relegation fight.
Last season, the poor league finish had less weight because of their Europa League run that ended with the title. It also felt like an exception considering all the injuries they had. Surely it couldn’t happen again.
Well, it did and now they are back where they were around this time last year. But with absolutely no shot of European silverware – plus way worse performances.
Why could Richarlison emerge as Tottenham’s ‘saviour’?
Perfect fit for Tottenham’s current state
Accepting the situation is an important step to take. And it requires different moves and decisions than usual. Tudor has already identified that a few players don’t fit the ideal profile of a ‘scrapper’.
Xavi Simons might be the best example of that. He may be Tottenham’s best player in terms of technical qualities. Good dribbler, takes defenders on and sets teammates up well. But lacks the fight and spirit required to thrive in adverse circumstances – like the one they find themselves in right now.
Richarlison, however, might be the opposite. He excels in high pressing, bothering defenders, taking and creating contact and doing dirty work.
He’s not the most technical forward, nor the most clinical finisher. But he’s a grafter and very helpful to the team when they need to scrap.
Igor Tudor probably realised that. Richarlison came back from injury in his managerial debut in charge of Tottenham. The Brazilian came of the bench in the first three, but showed a lot of fight and scored against Fulham.
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He got the nod in the loss to Atletico Madrid, but left his mark assisting Pedro Porro for their first goal. And scored one of his own to give his side a valuable and unexpected point at Anfield.
The formation change seems to have helped as well. For some time Tottenham had played with one striker, whether it was in Thomas Frank’s preferred 4-3-3, the 4-2-3-1 or Tudor’s recent 3-4-3. Frank also experimented with it a few times, but mostly keeping just one man leading the line.
The 4-4-2 we saw at Anfield got Tottenham better goalscoring opportunities than Liverpool and a good amount of shots, considering how little time they spent with the ball. Thirteen attempts and two big chances with just 37% possession away against the reigning champions is a solid return.
Off-ball work rate
But there were other effects too. Both Richarlison and Solanke had a partner to play off of and also look for. And they put in a great shift off the ball, bothering opposing defenders, chasing long balls, duelling in the air and closing down passing lanes.
The Brazilian even led all players in tackles against Liverpool, with at least two more than the closest ones.
It was the most by a Tottenham forward in a game, across all competitions, since August 2024. Brennan Johnson had 6 tackles against Leicester City that day, also in the Premier League.
Not only that, but he is also leading Spurs in goal involvements since Igor Tudor took over (three), despite starting just once.
Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani, Porro and Archie Gray (all two) are the only others to record a goal or an assist.
In fact, he leads Tottenham in this category across the whole season. And is just one assist shy of the leaders (Mohammed Kudus, Simons and Porro).
It was also ironic that he scored such an important goal to earn his side an important point rather than just pull one back. Richarlison has become famous for scoring goals when getting anything out of the game is out of reach.
But there is something to be said about this kind of player. It doesn’t mean that his goals are useless, but that he never gives up and is willing to leave everything on the pitch for his team.
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This is probably the exact profile that Igor Tudor is looking for while trying to shake things up at Tottenham.
It could also help him in his bid to make the Brazil World Cup squad in a few months. He missed out on the latest one, seeing a few fellow Premier League stars make the cut.
Igor Thiago and Rayan got their first call-ups while Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha and Joao Pedro also featured.
But a strong and healthy end to the season, looking to keep Tottenham in the Premier League while showing emotion in the process could be just what he needs to persuade Carlo Ancelotti — who is already fond of Richarlison — to get him on the plane.