‘Amazing’ – Journalist reveals what Postecoglou had been telling Richarlison in private

The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare has revealed that Ange Postecoglou had reiterated to Richarlison earlier in the season that he was contributing a lot to the side outside of just goals.

Over the last couple of months, Richarlison has now started repaying the faith that Postecoglou has shown in him right from the start of the season, with the Brazilian being read-hot goalscoring form since returning from his groin surgery back in December.

However, it was not smooth sailing for the 26-year-old at the start of the campaign as he was struggling for composure in front of goal, even forcing Postecoglou to move him to the left and play Son Heung-min through the middle.

The Australian’s decision to move Richarlison back to the number nine role when he returned from his injury lay-off raised some eyebrows, but it has proven to be an inspired choice, with the former Everton man having found the back of the net nine times in his last nine Premier League outings (Transfermarkt).

Postecoglou has taken the pressure off Richarlison

Eccleshare has now explained that even when the striker was struggling in front of goal, Postecoglou had always been quite complimentary of the forward’s all-round contributions.

Speaking about Richarlison’s turnaround the journalist said on The View From The Lane Podcast: “What Postecoglou did was that he made it clear that he shouldn’t just judge himself on goals, he’s about a lot more than that, the goals will come, don’t worry about it.

“That has absolutely been Postecoglou’s message, in public to us and I believe in private to Richarlison as well, it’s not just about the goals, it’s amazing.”

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Richarlison perhaps does not get the credit he deserves for his hold-up play, with the strike being deceptively strong and knowing how to use his body well. The 26-year-old is also a tireless worker out of possession, which is why Postecoglou values him highly.