A New Era at Tottenham: Challenges and Opportunities
Tottenham Hotspur have faced a difficult season, marked by injuries and managerial changes. The team has struggled to find consistent goal-scoring opportunities from their high-priced strikers. However, after ending a 15-game winless streak in the Premier League, they now face another setback with the injury of key players Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons.
Roberto De Zerbi, the new manager, has emphasized the importance of moving forward without dwelling on misfortune. He has praised the quality of the players expected to step up for the match against Aston Villa but acknowledges the need to quickly find the right tactical formula.
Richarlison, currently Spurs’ top scorer with nine goals in the Premier League, was instrumental in leading Everton out of relegation in 2022. His memorable goal against Chelsea, where he celebrated by throwing a smoking flare, made him a cult hero among Evertonians. However, since starting the season with two goals against Burnley, Richarlison has struggled, missing six weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained in an FA Cup match against Villa.
De Zerbi has expressed his admiration for Richarlison, highlighting his sensitivity and ability to communicate through his expressions. Despite this, the manager has been critical of his performance in recent games. In his first game as Spurs boss, De Zerbi started Richarlison wide on the left but substituted him after an hour. In the next game against Brighton, he remained on the bench.
At Wolverhampton Wanderers, Richarlison came on as a substitute just before half-time and provided an assist when his mis-hit shot was turned into the net by Joao Palhinha in the 82nd minute. This goal secured three points for the first time since December, but De Zerbi was disappointed with the second-half performance.
‘In the first half, we had total control of the game, 70 per cent ball possession. OK, two chances to score, not too many. In the second half we lost more possession, we lost distances, we lost the balance of the game. We conceded four chances to score. We won the game, but in the second half we could lose the game,’ said De Zerbi.
This insight explains why De Zerbi preferred Solanke to lead the line despite only three Premier League goals this season, rather than Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani, or Mathys Tel, who have all played as centre forwards at times.
Standards have been disappointing across the board, but Solanke, who injured a hamstring at Wolves and is unlikely to play for Spurs again this season, has proven more effective with his back to goal, linking up play and driving the team forward.
De Zerbi must now find alternatives. ‘We have to put him in the right condition to score,’ he said of Richarlison, extending his point to others. Tel has scored three Premier League goals in 27 appearances this season, which is better than Kolo Muani, who has one in 26.
‘He is a potential big player, a potential big talent,’ said De Zerbi of Tel, who he wanted to sign while at Marseille but has yet to select to start for Spurs. ‘We have to help him become a top player because he has the right qualities to do that.’
De Zerbi has been working to restore Kolo Muani’s confidence with video clips of his previous goals and mealtime pep talks at the training ground. He also hoped 21-year-old Tel might respond positively to extra responsibility with others absent.
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‘I don’t know if the credit is mine but maybe he understood the right position, had the right confidence and the ideas of the coach so he made the most of the opportunity.’ With Simons out long-term due to damaged cruciate ligaments, the opportunity now belongs to others. Will anyone claim it?
