Richarlison has previously spoken about Arsenal ‘contacting’ Everton to sign him during the 2022 summer transfer window, but instead, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur.
Well, fast forward to the present, and Richarlison has been called a ‘joke’ and the ‘worst player’ for his performances at Tottenham by Tony Cascarino, as he told talkSPORT.
Tottenham paid financially-hit Everton £60 million for the 26-year-old’s services (Sky Sports), but he has only scored three goals in 33 matches in all competitions since that move.
When the all-action forward moved to north London, he told FourFourTwo: “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.”
Well, that’s probably a lucky escape for the Gunners because, they opted to bring in his fellow countryman instead, with Gabriel Jesus joining from Manchester City.
Nonetheless, following Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa over the weekend, Richarlison was verbally slaughtered again for his performance.
“If you said to be ‘the worst player this season, for what he has got’, (then I would say) Richarlison,” said Cascarino. “He has been a joke this year.
“I don’t care if he has been injured. Or has gone away to the World Cup. He hardly tried a leg (against Aston Villa). He looked disinterested. I know Antonio Conte pulled him up about his performance or he hasn’t played well.
“I played poorly in my career. There is one thing. A lack of endeavour and effort than playing badly. I can’t believe it. Richarlison was the player last year that, I felt, was as responsible as anybody for keeping Everton up. His performances at the end of last season. He hasn’t shown any of that at Spurs.”
IS RICHARLISON A TOTTENHAM FLOP?
That label is going to be thrown at Richarlison, especially given that he is Tottenham’s club-record signing.
The issue with him is that there is now going to be serious pressure on his shoulders next season and things might prove to be even more difficult, especially if Harry Kane leaves.
There will then be more emphasis on him to find the back of the net on a regular basis, and if he doesn’t, then he really is a flop.
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