Thomas Frank’s recent admission may cause Tottenham fans to sound the alarm on Richarlison.
Tottenham will return to Premier League action against Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 13 August.
The confrontation presents another opportunity for Spurs fans to observe their team develop under Frank. But a recurring worry for supporters now threatens to resurface before the game.
Frank reveals Tottenham are ‘monitoring’ Richarlison’s fitness
Palmeiras seemed the likely destination for Richarlison after leaving Tottenham this summer.
The Brazilian has struggled to meet expectations since his record transfer from Everton three years ago. Injuries have been the main culprit.
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The tide has since changed. And it seems that Richarlison could be “Frank’s go-to” after impressing against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final.
Speaking ahead of the game against Burnley, Frank praised Richarlison for his “phenomenal” Super Cup performance. But also issued a fitness update on the star forward.
In quotes provided by Football London on Friday, 15 August, he said: “Of course, we’re aware of the fitness situation. That’s something we’ve monitored closely. That’s why, for example, he didn’t play the first game against Reading because we didn’t feel that he was ready, so we’ll really do our best to help him, and he’s on it.
“He’s very focused, that’s the main thing, and hopefully he can keep up the level.”
This will not please Spurs supporters who have seen him sidelined for months on end. The mere fact that the Lilywhites are keeping tabs on him indicates they’re worried that another injury is just around the corner.
With his newfound form and promise of bigger, better things, this is a potential reality that most fans will not want to imagine.
Richarlison has big season ahead
Richarlison is a player who has come painfully close to showing his class in North London.
Most Tottenham fans were stunned during the first couple of months of Postecoglou’s tenure – the Brazilian had undergone a splendid transformation.
But once again, injuries took their hold, and that change soon was unravelled. As a result, fans will be cautiously optimistic heading into the new Premier League season.
The Brazilian may have escaped the threat of departure for now, but it is one that never truly goes away. To avoid it, he must remain fit and exceed expectations next season.