When Tottenham Hotspur took to the pitch yesterday to face AC Milan in their last 16-return leg of the Champions League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Brazilian forward Richarlison was among those made to start the game from the bench.
There was nothing surprising about that as the Brazilian has gotten used to warming the bench for Spurs. Since his arrival from Everton in the summer transfer, the 25-year-old has started only 12 of his 25 games across all competitions.
But following his successive starts against West Ham, Chelsea and Sheffield United in the FA Cup, Richarlison had developed the thinking that he had maybe cemented a starting berth. His thinking was quickly changed when he was again dropped against Wolves, and against Milan, Antonio Conte, on return from his recovery from a gallbladder surgery benched the the former Watford and Everton forward leaving him bemoaning.
When asked about his situation, Richarlison told TNT sports:
“It was going well, in a good sequence, two wins against West Ham and Chelsea. Suddenly, he (Cristian Stellini) put me on the bench, against Wolverhampton. He put me on for five minutes. I asked why? They didn’t tell me anything. And, yesterday, they asked me to take a test at the gym, that if I was good I would go to the game and, at the time of the game, they left me on the bench. These are things that it is not possible to understand.
“Let’s see what he (Conte) will say tomorrow, but there are no fools here either, I’m a professional. I work every day and I want to play. There are minutes left, time left.
This season, excuse the word, it’s been sh*t, because I don’t have minutes, I suffered a little with the injury. But, when I enter the field, I give my life. I came from two games well, I think that’s it. I think I should have played and I don’t have to cry about it.”
Richarlison is yet to display the kind of form that convinced Tottenham to spend £60 million on him. The forward is yet to open his Premier League account with the club, and has to his name only two Champions League goals.
As Tottenham continue their chase for a Champions League spot next season, Richarlison will hope he gets his mojo back , and perhaps be the reason for his side’s UCL qualification.
Tottenham after being dumped from the Champions League by AC Milan return to action on Saturday against Nottingham Forest. They currently sit fourth in the league, but with just three points head of Liverpool.
