Ange Postecoglou is delighted with the way Richarlison is training and expects the Tottenham star to have a big say over the next few weeks, even if he does have to be cautious with him.
Richarlison has had rotten luck through his three years at Tottenham Hotspur, with the striker’s constant injury issues preventing him from having a consistent run in the side.
The 27-year-old now looks sharp after recovering from his latest injury setback, just in time to have a big impact on the club’s final run-in as the Lilywhites go in search of an elusive trophy.
Richarlison was handed the nod to start on the left in the first leg against Bodo/Glimt after Heung-min Son was ruled out with an injury, and Postecoglou has now explained his dilemma regarding the former Everton man’s usage.
(Credit @thefrederikkejensen / Instagram)Ange Postecoglou reveals Richarlison is hungry to contribute
According to various reports, Richarlison is expected to leave Tottenham this summer, and that is perhaps why the forward is hungry to make his mark at the club before he heads through the exit door.
Postecoglou has explained that the 27-year-old could have played a lot longer against Bodo/Glimt but explained that he is exercising caution as the former Toffees man can be a potent weapon for his side over the coming weeks.
When asked about Richarlison’s fitness, the Tottenham boss said (via Football.London): “Knock on wood, he’s in great shape and last night I went a bit conservative with him because playing out left is different and I could see that he was working so hard for the team. He gives everything he has and I didn’t want to push him beyond the limit, knowing what we have got ahead.
“He probably could have played another 10-15 minutes, but he’s in great physical condition, he’s played 90 minutes already. He’s backing up in games and he’s really desperate, hungry to contribute at this stage. He’s a great asset for us. He’s such a handful in the box.
“Whatever Richy has to give, he’ll give it every time, whether it’s five minutes, or 90 minutes, he’ll give every little bit of himself. Obviously, Dom is an important player for us, we saw that last night. Richy on the bench would have been great to throw him on for that last bit. He plays such a crucial role for us.
“Both are really important and having them both for this run-in, we have to balance off how much we use them and history tells you you are wary of players that have missed a lot of football in a year given their ability to back up consistently.
“We’ve been careful with all our players who have been out for a while, but he’s certainly in great physical condition now and is going to be important for us.”
Richarlison backed to produce a special Tottenham moment
Since his big-money move from Merseyside three years ago, Richarlison is yet to have an iconic moment in a Tottenham shirt, but Postecoglou believes that it could well arrive this month as his side go in search of European glory.
When asked if the Brazil international can deliver the memorable moment which has been missing from his Spurs career so far, the 59-year-old responded: “It’s not through a lack of trying with Richy. It’s preceded me, his stop-start career at Spurs. To be fair, when he’s got a run in the team, he’s always made an impact.
“Last year, in the middle of the year, he was making a massive impact and scoring goals until he got injured. It would be great for him because he’s been through a tough few years. But that’s the beauty of football and life. If you keep turning up and doing the right things, sometimes it goes your way.”
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