Gabriele Marcotti has said that Richarlison has to first establish himself as a regular in Tottenham’s starting eleven before the likes of Real Madrid come calling for him.
Richarlison has had a solid but unspectacular start to his Spurs career since making the move from Everton in the summer, with the forward having two goals and three assists to his name across all competitions for the Lilywhites (Transfermarkt).
However, the 25-year-old was arguably the standout centre-forward on show at the World Cup until Brazil were knocked out this evening, demonstrating exactly why Antonio Conte’s men decided to shell out £60m for him in the summer.
In light of his brilliant displays in Qatar, Richarlison has been mooted as a target for the likes of Real Madrid (Todofichajes) and Paris Saint-Germain (Fichajes) over recent weeks.
Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti showered praise on the former Everton man a couple of days ago, remarking that he considers the Brazilian to be one of the best strikers in the world (Corriere dello Sport 08/12/22 via Sport Witness).
However, Marcotti has now remarked that Richarlison would first have to stand out as one of the best attackers in the Premier League before the La Liga giants come calling for him.
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When the ESPN host took a dig at Spurs by asking if it is time for the forward to move to a big club, the journalist responded on ESPN FC: “Spurs fans, he is already at a big club.
“I don’t know if Richarlison views Tottenham as a stepping stone. But even Tottenham fans will recognise that even Real Madrid are in a different stratosphere, possibly to every other club in the world.
“I think the days players were judged on what they could do at World Cups, those are long gone. If Richarlison gets a move, it’s going to be based on what he does week in and week out in the Premier League.
“As wonderful as he is for Brazil, let’s not forget, he isn’t an automatic choice in Tottenham’s starting XI. When everyone is fit. We have seen Conte preferring Kulusevski or Son to him. I think there is still a way to go to anointing him a Real Madrid-calibre centre-forward.”
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I do not think there is any chance that the Spurs hierarchy would consider letting Richarlison leave so soon after signing him. However, I disagree with Marcotti’s take about the 25-year-old needing to shine at Tottenham for the likes of Real Madrid to come calling.
In fact, I suspect that the real reason that the likes of Madrid and PSG might feel they have a shot of signing Richarlison is precisely that he is not a regular in the Tottenham starting eleven.
If Ancelotti does think the 25-year-old is one of the top number nines in the world, then he can perhaps convince the former Everton man that he can only prove himself outside a club that already boasts of the best centre-forward in world football in Harry Kane.
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