Paul Merson has acknowledged that he doesn’t really like Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur.
The Brazil international is enjoying an World Cup in Brazil and up until now has scored arguably the goal of the tournament, a scissor kick against Serbia in the Selecao’s first group game.
On form, the Tottenham attacker, a £60 million signing from Everton this past summer, is a genuine marvel.
He does, however, often court criticism.
Like in August for example, Richarlison made headlines for the wrong reasons in some needless showboating against Nottingham Forest, causing a backlash and earning a reputation for being disrespectful.
And although Merson has conceded that he is by no means the Spurs forward’s biggest fan, the former Arsenal midfielder admits he’s been ‘great’ in Qatar thus far.
He told Sportskeeda: “Richarlison has also been great, and he’ll have to carry that on. I’m not his biggest fan, to be honest. I think he can do better, but he’s leading the line very well so far. He’s got a big responsibility on his shoulders now – he’s going to play every game for Brazil at the World Cup.”
Richarlison, who earns £90,000 per week in North London [Spotrac], is definitely a sort of Marmite player to say the least.
But Merson is right; whatever you feel about him personally, nobody can deny that he’s an absolutely brilliant footballer and one who could be a massive asset for Tottenham during the second half of the campaign.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
