Postecoglou risks wrath of Richarlison

boss Ange Postecoglou stumbled on a potent attacking recipe in his side’s emphatic win over Burnley on Saturday.

Richarlison being moved to the bench seemed to work wonders for the Londoners, but the Brazilian proved last season that he won’t be a happy camper if he remains there for the majority of the season.

Richarlison was left out of the starting XI at Turf Moor after picking up a knock in midweek. New Spurs captain Son Heungmin took his place through the middle and made a huge statement by scoring a hattrick.

The South Korean bagged as many goals in 90 minutes than Richarlison managed in the whole of last season following his £60 million (RM348m) move from Everton. Keeping Son up top after the international break is therefore a no-brainer for Postecoglou.

Richarlison was expected to step up to the plate through the middle after Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich, but he is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League this term and may find it tricky to work his way back into the starting XI if Son embraces the central role.

Repeatedly being benched by Antonio Conte in 2022/23 did not sit well with Richarlison, who said while on international duty back in March: “I’m not silly, I’m a professional that works hard every day and I want to play.

“There hasn’t been enough minutes given to me, and this season – forgive my language – has been s***. When I’m on the pitch I give my life.”

Richarlison’s game-time prospects were looking up just a few weeks ago when Spurs cashed in on Kane and resisted the temptation to splash out on a direct replacement.

Postecoglou’s exciting brand of play has also lifted the general mood around the club, but the

26-year-old has so far been unable to capitalise.

It remains to be seen whether Postecoglou risks feeling the wrath of the forward by keeping him on the bench and rewarding Son when

Sheffield United visit the

Tottenham

Hotspur

Stadium on

Sept 16. –

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