Stephen Kelly says he’s ‘not surprised’ that Lucas Moura will be heading for the Tottenham Hotspur exit door during the summer transfer window
The former Spurs defender added that Moura has fallen behind the likes of Dejan Kulusevki and Richarlison under Antonio Conte’s stewardship.
The 30-year-old has only played 90 minutes of Premier League football this season, with his current deal at Hotspur Way coming to an end in 2024.
But it seems as though, both the club and the player, have opted against taking that 12-month extension, and instead, he will leave for free in the summer.
And it seems as though, the £23 million player who scored a memorable hat-trick in the Champions League semi-final against Ajax, will head back to Brazil and sign for Sao Paulo.
Given the versatile forward’s current situation, Stephen Kelly was asked to share his thoughts on the player’s possible exit and how it was coming, as he told The Transfer Show on Sky Sports News (11/01/23).
“I am not surprised with the way things have gone this season,” said Kelly. “He has been injured quite a lot and he has missed quite a lot of games.
“I think he’s been surplus to requirements lately because of Kulusevski and Richarlison when he gets back fit. Those players have kind of taken his mantle.
“Listen, he is going to be remembered for some momentous occasions, the hat trick against Ajax. There were times throughout his career when he stepped up when Son and Kane had dropped off form. He scored a lot of goals in short spaces.
“But, at the time now, with his injuries and him getting over the age of 30, I know it’s not much in football these days, but I think the likes of Richarlison and Kulusevski are the ones taking his place.”
MOURA’S END PRODUCT
If the former PSG star had the end product of Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski or even a bit of what Harry Kane brings to the table, then he would be one of the best forwards in the Premier League
But whilst he has all the ability in the world when the ball is at his feet, that ruthless nature, composure, killer instinct and final touch has never been there.
During Moura’s 145 Premier League games for Spurs, he has scored 19 goals and supplied 16 assists, which clearly isn’t enough for a player of his quality.
When you compare that to Kulusevski, who arrived last January from Juventus and has been hit with injuries, the Sweden international, from his 28 Premier League matches, has six goals and 13 assists. That tells the story.
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