Stephen Kelly has stated that ‘you don’t expect’ Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski to be on the pitch together, as they were, during Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The former Spurs defender praised Richarlison’s display and how he was ‘needed’ in north London, and added with how Kulusevski made a ‘difference’ from the bench against the French giants.
Tottenham’s January capture Kulusevski started the first few games of the Premier League season, before Richarlison started his first game at his new club over the weekend when they beat Fulham.
Richarlison kept his place in the XI yesterday, with Kulusevski coming off the bench and replacing Emerson Royal out on the right-hand side.
Many would have thought that the above duo would battle for places with one another because Son Heung-min and Harry Kane are pretty unmovable.
Either way, Kelly was impressed by Tottenham’s win against Marseille yesterday, as he praised Richarlison and Kulusevski’s efforts, as he told Sky Sports News.
“It’s almost identical to his first goal,” said Kelly. “It’s great contact from Richarlison and great positioning.
“They are two great deliveries in and because he is playing that wide right area, he just gets himself in between the defenders and attacks the ball really well. He’s a player that Tottenham needed in their ranks. A player that can come up with goals, and add something different and he is feisty and aggressive.
“But Kulusesvki’s introduction has also made a difference as well. Both of them are on the pitch at the same time, which people were probably questioning because you don’t expect them to be.
“Kulusevski has improved them as well. Tottenham have taken their chances and it’s great that they have come away with a win in their first game.”
WILL CONTE START RICHARLISON AND KULUSEVSKI TOGETHER?
Unless Harry Kane needs a rest or is injured, he won’t be warming the bench that much this season and the same would have been said for Son Heung-min, especially after he won the Golden Boot last season.
But the South Korean star is yet to score a goal this season, and in truth, the likes of Kulusevski and Richarlison are performing better.
Will Antonio Conte drop Son, as a result? It probably won’t happen yet because he has too much credit in the bank.
Although, if Kulusevski and Richarlison continue to shine, and Son’s form doesn’t change, then Conte might have to think about breaking up his record-breaking front two.
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