Ex-Middlesbrough star Robbie Mustoe believes that Richarlison should deservingly start ahead of Son Heung-Min in the upcoming match against West Ham United for Tottenham Hotspur.
Son has endured a difficult start this season after failing to follow up on his impressive Golden Boot-winning performances from the previous campaign. He has only been able to register one assist from 319 minutes on the pitch so far (Transfermarkt).
The South Korean was recently involved in the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, but continued to struggle in front of goal despite getting numerous chances.
In comparison, Richarlison looked lively after coming off the bench for Son and even recorded a sublime assist for Harry Kane to score his second on the day.
Richarlison has an assist to his name just like Son in this campaign but has matched that output in just 63 minutes (Transfermarkt).
While the Asian forward was also involved in goals including the one Kane scored against Wolves, the Brazilian has arguably been more impressive with his displays off the bench against Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Forest.
Mustoe has told Antonio Conte to drop Son for the next few matches should the 30-year-old fail to get out of his current plight.
MORE SPURS STORIES
However, the NBC Pundit thinks the South Korean international may not be left out in those games, but that could become a reality in the future if this situation remains the same.
Speaking on The 2 Robbies Podcast, Mustoe said: “I think he’s gonna be left out of the side.
“I couldn’t love him anymore as a footballer, but when you’ve brought in new players and you’ve brought in Richarlison who sat on the bench patiently — as probably what should have happened — he’s come into the game now on numerous occasions and [is] looking really really bright and it isn’t quite happening for Son.
“There will be absolutely the occasions when somebody else in that frontline isn’t playing well, and you might expect to come back in the side again. He might get another game or two maybe you get more maybe he’s gonna stick with him for a long period of time.”
“But for me, if I’m a Richarlison, I’m like OK, I deserve to start now.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
Richarlison has dug in deep and made a strong claim for him to become a starter despite playing a handful of minutes so far. He arrived from Everton with the expectation of being a backup to Kane and Son but has now proven that he can mount a solid challenge against the starters as well.
Conte would now have a difficult decision to make against West Ham as he would need to choose between starting Son and leaving Richarlison disappointed despite his displays or letting the South Korean ace’s confidence down by rewarding the 25-year-old for his performances.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
