In his first 23 games in the ruby red of Liverpool, Darwin Nunez scored more goals (10) than either Sadio Mane or Luis Suarez. Antony, meanwhile, has five in just 15 starts after reuniting with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
And, at a time in which Erling Haaland’s impact on Man City is starting to come under question, it should not be forgotten that we are talking about a player with far more goals than games since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.
Richarlison, then, can consider himself a little fortunate to have avoided the same scrutiny that has come the way of some of the Premier League’s other big-money summer signings. Why that is, however, is anyone’s guess.
Perhaps Richarlison’s absence of impact under Antonio Conte has been masked by his wonderful displays at the Qatar World Cup. Maybe Tottenham have so many problems that it seems churlish to single out a man who’s come off the bench more times than he’s started in the top-flight this season.
But the hard facts are these. Richarlison, Tottenham’s £60 million record signing, is yet to open his account for the club in Premier League action. Even during Dejan Kulusevski’s injury issues, and with Heung-Min Son a tormented shadow of his former self, Richarlison has failed to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.
Tottenham Hotspur outclassed by Arsenal in North London derby
When the 25-year-old Brazil international swapped Everton for the English capital, he’d have been looking ahead to afternoons like Sunday; a North London derby at a sold-out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Richarlison certainly made headlines against Mikel Arteta’s runaway league leaders but for all the wrong reasons; an unseamly altercation with Aaron Ramsdale his only meaningful contribution during 19 minutes on the pitch.
The fact that Conte waited until the 71st minute to bring Richarlison off the bench in the first place – despite Spurs finding themselves 2-0 down with just over half an hour gone – did not go unnoticed either.
And, as the travelling Arsenal contingent celebrated with justified jubilation at full-time – a convincing, commanding North London derby victory extending their lead at the top to eight points – Richarlison might have been left feeling like a man who had put his life savings on the wrong horse in the Grand National; Arsenal galloping towards the finish line while Spurs stumble headfirst into the nearest hurdle.
Richarlison could have joined Arsenal instead
“I was on holiday when I heard Tottenham made Everton an offer,” Richarlison recalls in conversation with FourFourTwo. “I was happy, because they are a huge team. Then it was all about the clubs negotiating a deal and, fortunately, everything went well.
“Antonio Conte called me during the negotiations and expressed how much he’d like to have me on board. That was vital for my decision.
“I know Chelsea made an offer. And I believe Arsenal also contacted Everton to ask about my situation. But Spurs came in and paid the fee, you know? It’s as simple as that.”
Richarlison certainly let frustration get the better of him; tensions boiling over on a tense afternoon in North London. Then again, the £60 million forward without a league goal all season for a team sliding away from the top-four spots has more reasons than most to feel frustrated.
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