Despite being linked with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur this summer, Richarlison was the star of the show for Thomas Frank in their opening weekend victory.
Richarlison scored twice in a 3-0 win for Tottenham against Burnley – one that wasn’t quite as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.
But Spurs did deserve to win, and former player and now Burnley manager Scott Parker offered his thoughts on Tottenham after the game.
Owing to Dominic Solanke’s gradual injury return, Frank opted to start Richarlison in a central role up top, and it’s a chance the Brazilian certainly took with two hands.
Richarlison scored a ridiculous bicycle kick to make it 2-0, and the Brazilian’s finish for his first goal wasn’t bad either.
Gary Lineker says he’s still intrigued by Richarlison at Tottenham
That being said, Gary Lineker offered his thoughts on Richarlison at Tottenham on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast following the win.
Throughout the summer, Richarlison has been linked with an Everton return, however, it currently seems as if the 28-year-old will remain in north London for now.
And after watching his goals against Burnley, Lineker was convinced that there’s still more to come from Richarlison if he can improve his fitness record.
Lineker said: “I’ll tell you who intrigues me, Richarlison. I look at him sometimes and you think, he’s got so much talent and then on another occasion, nothing seems to happen and he gets a bit down on himself, possibly. I don’t know. I’m just making assumptions.
“Injuries have played a big part and I think sometimes fans as well, it’s easy to go, oh, he’s always injured.
“But as a footballer, the last thing in the world you want is to be injured. There’s nothing more frustrating.
“But if he can stay fit and sharp, then they’ve got a real player. I mean, the second finish was just super.”
Richarlison’s worrying injury record at Tottenham
Unfortunately for both Richarlison and Tottenham it remains a big ‘if’ with regards to his fitness record.
Following his big-money move from Everton in 2022, the Brazilian is yet to play more than 28 league games for Spurs in a season.
Perhaps being able to dovetail with Solanke will help Richarlison in that regard this term.
Richarlison will be fighting for a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad this season, so he’ll be doing everything he can to impress in N17.
And given that Tottenham will have so many games in all competitions, there will certainly be enough opportunities for both Solanke and Richarlison to impress.