Richarlison has opened up on the Premier League relegation battle and rated his chances of making the Brazil squad for the World Cup.
Richarlison has urged his Tottenham Hotspur teammates to 'stay calm' ahead of next week's clash against Chelsea. The Lilywhites could fall back into the bottom three of the Premier League before they face Calum McFarlane's side at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Spurs squandered the chance to go four points clear of West Ham in the relegation zone when they were held to a draw by Leeds United on Tuesday evening. Instead, Tottenham only managed to extend their advantage in the race for survival to just two points, leaving the door open for the Hammers to climb the table.
This weekend, West Ham could leapfrog Tottenham with a win over Newcastle United. Unless Nuno Espirito Santos' side were to make up an 11-goal difference at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon, the Lilywhites would only need to draw against Chelsea to climb out of the bottom three again.
That would leave everything to play for on the final day of the season, when Spurs face Everton and the Hammers host Leeds United. In an interview with ESPN Brazil, Richarlison has urged his teammate to 'stay calm'.
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"It’s difficult, but point by point we’re moving forward," said the Tottenham striker. "Depending on the result of next weekend’s game, with one more point we can avoid relegation, but we need to do our part.
"Away from home we’ve managed to pick up points well. Now we have to stay calm," he added. "Now we have to continue over these final two matches."
Earlier this week, Richarlison was named in the 55-man preliminary Brazil squad ahead of the World Cup in the summer. On whether he'll be selected by Carlo Ancelotti, the Spurs striker said: "Anxious, right?
"I think I gave up a lot for that shirt. I’m doing my work here at Tottenham, I’m playing, I’m scoring my goals. I think I’ll be watching with expectation on TV."
Richarlison added: "I’m confident. I believe I can be there. And if I am, I’ll do my best for the national team shirt, like I always have. Regardless of whether I’m there or not, I have brothers and teammates there. I’m very patriotic. I’ll always support Brazil."
Pedro Porro also recently weighed in on the relegation battle. During an appearance on the Spanish radio show El Larguero, as quoted by Cadena SER, the Tottenham defender said: "On the one hand, we want the season to end, but on the other, we have to work until the very end. There’s no other option.
"We have to finish in the best way possible. It’s true that right now we’re two points above them, and they play before us. Now anything goes. We have to consider everything. That’s the reality, and everything counts."
When asked whether he'll be heading to the World Cup in the summer, Porro remained focused on keeping Spurs in the Premier League. Luis de la Fuente will announce the Spain squad on May 25.
"Hopefully, that would be two pieces of good news," said Porro. And when quizzed on his future, the right-back said: "I already have enough on my plate without thinking about that now. The future is next week."