Tottenham Hotspur need to use ‘exceptional’ Richarlison smartly, says Thomas Frank
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Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison shaking hands with manager Thomas Frank after being substituted following his two-goal heroics on Aug 16.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Richarlison demonstrated how crucial he is to Tottenham Hotspur with a sublime brace in their 3-0 English Premier League home win over Burnley on Aug 16, with new manager Thomas Frank saying it was vital to manage the Brazilian smartly to continue getting the best out of him.
The forward struck in the 10th minute, converting a cross from Mohammed Kudus, before the pair combined again on the hour mark for a spectacular second goal, as Richarlison showcased his aerial prowess with an acrobatic effort.
“To have a striker who takes those two chances helps us to win the game. He deserves a lot of praise... Today, he was exceptional,” Frank told reporters.
“His work rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating. And then the two finishes. I’m so happy for him. The performance department and medical department have done a top job to build him up...
“I’m a little bit disappointed that it’s so early that we’ve had the goal of the season, but it must be a contender!”
In just one match, Richarlison has netted half as many league goals as he managed in the 2024-25 season, when he made only 15 league appearances and spent extended spells on the sidelines due to calf and hamstring injuries.
“I think it’s fair to say that he hasn’t played every game in the last three or four seasons because of injuries, so I think we need to be smart with him,” said Frank, who was appointed Tottenham manager in June.
“What is the right answer to that? I don’t know. That can be getting out earlier, that can be coming from the bench, that can be various ways, that can be playing five games in a row.
“We need to get to know him as well. That’s the next thing. I don’t know him.”
After conceding just 16 times in 46 games in the Championship last season, the opening game of Burnley’s top-tier return showed things will be much tougher for them defensively.
Manager Scott Parker told the BBC: “We were in the game, we started tentatively. We edged into it in the first half and there was a threat. For 60 minutes, we’re in it.
“We missed a big chance at 1-0 and then that’s the ruthlessness of the league that they score again. Overall a lot of positives and something to work on for us...
“Early stages for us. The pressure rises every time you stand in this position. We’ve got a big challenge this year.” REUTERS
