Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has taken over officially, and he is setting his team up for his first game in charge against surprise package Sunderland this weekend. Whereas the Black Cats have overperformed after several smart summer signings and boast a great, cohesive defense, Tottenham have been shambolic with a host of chronic underperformers whom De Zerbi is now tasked with reviving.
Although he is crucial to Spurs success in the relegation fight and has experience willing a team over the line in the past from a shock demotion to the EFL Championship, former Everton striker Richarlison has not looked like a star since moving to the N17, marred by inconsistent play and blighted by frequent injuries.
Richy has been decent in front of goal and is the team's only real goal threat this campaign, but he has fallen short in the other respects. Knowing that full well as he evaluates this team and sets expectations, De Zerbi seemed to have a clear message aimed for his Brazilian No. 9.
Richarlison's future is at stake
Roberto De Zerbi once spoke about what he wants from his strikers to Glenn Murray on Sky Sports back when he was coaching Brighton, which Football.London's Alasdair Gold wisely dredged up back to the surface.
The new Italian manager said, âIf we want to control the game we need the number nine to be smart, intelligent to understand when he has to play, when he has to attack the space and when he has to open the space.â
That quote goes for every striker at Tottenham Hotspur, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani included, and it may go more towards the England international in the eyes of many, since Solanke is usually the starter when Spurs go for a lone wolf since he is better at getting others involved.
But if we know Solanke can do this better than the others and we also know that Kolo Muani may not have much a future at Spurs as a disappointing loan signing from PSG, the onus is then on Richarlison, who is fighting for his Tottenham future while also fighting against relegation.
So what Tottenham need is for Richarlison in these last few weeks to step up in his understanding of the game. He is experienced enough, but we have yet to see the Brazilian international show those game smarts and create space for his teammates. That is going to be his next big task under RDZ, and he will need to rapidly click to save his future.