Expert ‘sure’ Richarlison will be handed new Tottenham role after latest
Noel Whelan has claimed “there is a case” for Richarlison taking up a lone striker role for Tottenham after his latest goals for Brazil.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the prospect of playing the 25-year-old and Harry Kane as a two-man partnership will be “food for thought” for Antonio Conte.
Richarlison scored a brace as Brazil beat Serbia in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday (24 November) – with his second strike already a goal of the tournament contender.
The Tottenham star, who joined from Everton for a reported £60million in the summer window, has now registered a combined 26 goals and assists in 39 Selecao caps.
Richarlison has scored just twice for his new side after struggling with injury and sitting behind the likes of Kane, Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski in the pecking order.
Conte has previously spoken out about Kane’s battle with fatigue after starting each of Spurs’ 22 games in a striking berth this season.
Whelan suggested Richarlison’s record has shown he can “share the load” with the England captain.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “What his record for Brazil shows is that he can play as an out-and-out number nine.
“That’s for sure. We saw him play a lot out wide for Everton and now for Tottenham as well.
“There’s a case for him sharing the load that is on Harry Kane’s shoulders. Conte could even play them as a two in some games.
“He has shown for Brazil that he’s just as potent – if not more – when he’s playing centrally. It’s food for thought for Conte.”
In other news, expert claims Tottenham are “in the mix” to sign Jude Bellingham amid “£125million” claim.