Ally McCoist has been left feeling frustrated once again by Tottenham star Richarlison. The former Rangers striker has been critical of the Brazilian’s attitude in the past but has now questioned his performances following their 2-0 victory over Fulham.
Richarlison registered an assist in the win and played the majority of the match before being hooked with just nine minutes remaining. But McCoist still finds him annoying to watch and believes that Tottenham still haven’t seen the best of him since his £60m switch from Everton over a year ago.
Despite a decent display on Monday night, the Scotsman, who was commentating on the match for TalkSPORT, said of Richarlison: “I just think he can be a very frustrating player, I really do. As you say there’s nobody doubting there’s a player in there with extreme talent. I just don’t think we see it enough.”
James Maddison and Son Heung-Min ran the show on Monday night, both popping up with a goal to send Spurs back to the top of the Premier League table. Thanks to the duo’s standout performances this term, Tottenham have not felt the loss of Harry Kane and are flourishing under Ange Postecoglou.
However, Richarlison has so far failed to shrug off the disappointment of last season – where he scored just one Premier League goal – and hasn’t yet convinced Postecoglou, having completed 90 minutes in the league on just two occasions.
The 26-year-old, who has an excellent record at international level for Brazil with 20 goals in 48 appearances, has only netted once in the league from the opening nine games. There had been a lot of expectation of his shoulders this term following the departure of Kane – and especially after Postecoglou opted not to directly replace the English star who had been Tottenham’s talisman for so long.
But Richarlison has not yet taken the opportunity with both hands and has often been overlooked for Son to start up front at his expense. McCoist, who labelled the forward a ‘wind up’ merchant last season after he showboated during a win at Nottingham Forest, is likely not the only onlooker to question Richarlison’s form.
In the three seasons before he joined Spurs, he scored 13 twice in the Premier League and 10 in the other campaign. But he looks a far cry from a player capable of getting anywhere near double figures in the league at present. Richarlison will no doubt be hoping his fortune in front of goal can start to turn on Friday when Postecoglou’s side travel to Crystal Palace.
