Richarlison, even in his finest moments, has always had the habit of resembling like a six-year old who has just dropped his sweets. But, since swapping Everton for Tottenham Hotspur last summer, the Brazilian’s brow has been more furrowed than ever. His glowering expression that little bit moodier.
Then again, the 25-year-old could be forgiven if he’s not exactly full of the joys of spring. No goals in 15 Premier League games was not the impact he would have expected when becoming Spurs’ £60 million record signing after all; 2022/23 shaping up to be statistically the worst season of his entire senior career.
Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Ham was Richarlison’s Tottenham career in a nutshell. No shortage of effort or endeavour but, when the chance arose, the former Toffees favourite was found wanting. A scuffed snapshot, straight into the grateful arms of Lukasz Fabianski, summed up the way things are going for him in North London.
Richarlison, in the blue of Everton or the yellow of Brazil, might have slotted a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner before pulling out his trademark ‘pigeon’ dance celebration. But, with every goalless afternoon, every mishit shot, the confidence he accumulated during an outstanding Qatar World Cup is draining away.
Richarlison has not scored a league goal since swapping Everton for Tottenham
The former Watford starlet was eventually hauled off midway through the second half against the Hammers. That his replacement – Heung-Min Son – scored just four minutes after coming on may have had Richarlison wondering just what he has to do to change the direction of travel.
“A disappointing afternoon,” former Premier League hitman Glen Murray told the BBC (19 February, 5.40pm). “When he gets home and looks in the mirror, he will be disappointed. No lack of effort, but it just didn’t happen for him this afternoon.”
It’s easy to forget that, just last summer, things were looking up for Tottenham Hotspur. In Antonio Conte, they had one of the planet’s finest tacticians pulling the strings. And, after snatching Champions League qualification from under the noses of Arsenal, Richarlison’s decision to choose one London giant over two of their greatest rivals only added to that fleeting feel-good factor.
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‘Arsenal contacted Everton’
“I was on holiday when I heard Tottenham made Everton an offer,” Richarlison recalls in conversation with FourFourTwo. “I was happy, because they are a huge team. Then it was all about the clubs negotiating a deal and, fortunately, everything went well.
“Antonio Conte called me during the negotiations and expressed how much he’d like to have me on board. That was vital for my decision.
“I know Chelsea made an offer. And I believe Arsenal also contacted Everton to ask about my situation. But Spurs came in and paid the fee, you know? It’s as simple as that.”
Arsenal would sign Richarlison’s Brazil team-mate Gabriel Jesus just three days later, on July 4th. Some consolation.
Three months from now, only one of the two is likely to have a Premier League medal hanging gracefully around his neck. And it won’t be Richarlison.
In other news, ‘Gritty and not pretty’: BBC pundit calls Tottenham player ‘old-fashioned’
