Simon Jordan has praised Richarlison for turning down the big sums of money on offer from Saudi Arabia and choosing to prioritise playing at the highest level.
Richarlison turns down huge money from Saudi Arabia
There has been plenty of speculation about Richarlison’s future right from the start of the summer, with a number of outlets linking the striker with a big-money switch to the Saudi Pro League (Football Insider).
However, the 27-year-old shut down those rumours last week, telling ESPN that he has turned down an offer to move to the Middle East as he wants to continue playing in the Premier League and for the Brazilian national side.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou also denied suggestions that Richarlison is on his way out, telling Football.London a few days ago that the former Everton man is very much part of his plans.
Richarlison deserves credit, says Jordan
The Spurs number nine will now have to compete with Dominic Solanke for a place in the starting eleven but irrespective of whether he proves to be a success at Tottenham, Jordan believes that he has to be commended for turning down the money on offer from the Middle East.
The former Crystal Palace owner told talkSPORT: “I don’t believe Richarlison was signed by Postecoglou, anyway, so he isn’t his player, so there maybe that’s going on.
“But the boy is 27 years of age. What we should be saying is ‘well done you for not wanting to go and make it all about money’. You have got a 27-year-old senior pro being offered a big bag of money and saying, ‘I want to be a top player’.
“We can all debate whether he is good enough for Tottenham Hotspur, and that’s just an opinion, neither am I (right or wrong). But I think it’s admirable that he doesn’t want to go to Saudi because he wants to play in elite football and play for Brazil.”
Spurs Web Opinion
A lot of Spurs fans and pundits are forgetting just how good Richarlison was just after the turn of the year when he was fully fit.
If the 27-year-old can stay injury-free, I would not put it beyond him to keep Solanke out of the side.