Jamie O’Hara says there is ‘no way’ Richarlison will be happy at being benched when he returns to Tottenham Hotspur, especially given that he is having an ‘outstanding’ World Cup, as he told talkSPORT.
The former Tottenham midfielder named the Brazil World Cup star in his Team of the Tournament, so far, with his three goals helping Tite’s side to the quarter-finals where they will play 2018 finalists, Croatia.
Brazil headed to Qatar with one of the most flamboyant, all-action, versatile and attacking line-ups in the tournament.
Whilst, on occasions, the pan hasn’t been on the stove long enough for them to cook like fans want them to, they did demolish South Korea during the round of 16 stage with a first-half masterclass that included four goals.
Whilst Roy Keane got rattled by Richarlison’s dancing when celebrating a goal, he is a player loving every minute of the world stage, but it might just be different when he returns to north London, which was pointed out by O’Hara.
“The problem we have with Richarlison is that he is always playing second fiddle to Harry Kane,” said O’Hara. “We put him in the side, then put him on the right.
“When he comes back to Spurs, and he’s sat on the bench, yet we are playing Son, Kuluseveski and Kane up front. And Richarlison is back on the bench after the World Cup he has had, then there is no way he will be happy.
“I agree, Richarlison goes in this side (World Cup Team of the Tournament so far) as a centre-forward, he has been outstanding in the tournament. He has come into his own.
“I hope he can carry it on with Tottenham when he gets back.”
RICHARLISON COOKING ON THE GRAND ALL STAGE
There are just some players that are built differently for when they rep their country compared to what they produce on the domestic circuit.
Previously at Everton, and now at Spurs, it’s pretty clear that Richarlison performs better for Brazil.
The versatile attacker still has that all-action and aggressive style in the Premier League, but he is more of a focal point for the South American giants, there seems to be more freedom for him to showcase his flair, which he is doing at will at the Qatar World Cup.
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