Watford boss Javi Gracia has had to defend his decision to drop Richarlison – is winger really who Spurs want to sign?
Javi Gracia has spoken publicly to give assurances that Richarlison still has a future at Watford after the winger was dropped for the recent 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
Having started every Premier League game since coming off the bench in the opening day 3-3 tie with Liverpool, the 20-year-old only made a nine-minute cameo against the Cherries.
“There was no special meaning behind my decision,” Gracia was quoted by the Mirror.
“We also have Roberto Pereyra and Kiko (Femenia) who can give us width, and they both scored in our last match, but I’m sure Richarlison will have an important part to play for the team in our next games.”
Should Spurs be worried?
Yet there is no denying that Richarlison has suffered a huge dip in form after making a flying start to the season following a summer switch from Fluminense.
The Brazilian scored five goals and provided four assists in his first 13 games in the top flight of English football, quickly drawing interest from Tottenham Hotspur who were linked with a £30m move for the attacker by the Sun as recently as February.
Yet Richarlison has now gone 20 games without finding the back of the net and has had much less influence for the Hornets, which could perhaps suggest Tottenham were too hasty.
There is no denying that the Brazil Under-20 international is a huge talent, but if Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino wants a new option out wide this summer is the youngster really the best option currently?
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