Darren Bent says Tottenham ace yet to find his feet, Spurs will expect more quality

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Darren Bent has told the Premier League’s coverage of Tottenham beating West Ham on Sunday that Richarlison is still trying to find his feet at Spurs since joining the club from Everton last summer – having started against the Hammers.

Richarlison, 25, was handed only his fifth Premier League start of the season on Sunday. Son Heung-min was dropped to the bench after another bout of tricky form. But he only lasted 68 minutes, struggling to really have an impact.

Spurs did take the lead with Richarlison on the pitch but it was a fellow Brazilian that got the ball rolling. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s pass set Ben Davies free, and he teed up Emerson Royal to score. Son replaced Richarlison, making it two.

Clocking up 20 games for Spurs this season, Richarlison has endured an injury-ravaged campaign. He has just two goals, both coming in a win over Marseille – laying on three assists. Ex-Spurs man Bent gave his verdict on Richarlison.

“The relationship between Kane and Richarlison is going to take time, because they don’t play together. Kane and Son know exactly how each other play. Richarlison comes in for 15 minutes here and there, that’s all they’ve got.

“Today was their first proper chance in a while. Richarlison is still trying to find his feet, but Spurs will be expecting more quality, for sure,” Bent summarised at half-time on Richarlison, during the Premier League’s coverage.

Bent: Richarlison still trying to find feet at Tottenham since joining

Bent’s summary is a nice way of looking at it. The cynical view is that while Richarlison has had injuries, and was a regular for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, he has failed – as things stand. Spurs spent a huge fee of £60m on him.

A lot of money. The kind of cash that fans would expect to see said player instantly deliver. Richarlison is yet to do that. So, why? Injuries and a lack of momentum will of course, impact it. But, is it his usage out wide in the Spurs system?

Perhaps. Maybe, his relationship with Harry Kane and being able to interlink. More is required from Richarlison – and remaining injury free between now and the end of the season is key. Whether that happens, remains to be seen.