Ben Foster has praised one Tottenham Hotspur star after his strong start to the season, but he has also aimed a dig which will not impress the Spurs player.
The new season is only just getting started, but if a Tottenham Hotspur surprise package were to be selected, it would be Richarlison. It was unknown whether he would still be a Spurs player by this point in the transfer window and he is not only still at the club, but thriving in the centre forward role.
Many have already expressed their adoration of the Brazilian goal machine after an impressive start to the new Premier League campaign. Harry Redknapp selected Richarlison in his team of the week, branding the star ‘underrated’.
Troy Deeney also chose Richarlison in his team of the week, while Gary Lineker revealed Richarlison intrigued him. The former Tottenham forward even said Spurs had a ‘real player’ on their hands if the 28-year-old was able to remain free from injuries.
Ben Foster offers mixed assessment of Richarlison at Tottenham
Ben Foster has had his say, and he has been most complimentary, describing Richarlison as ‘world class’. However, the retired goalkeeper did not stop there, as he also accused the £60m man of being lazy.
Foster told The Cycling Goalie podcast: “Yeah, he [Richarlison] seems to me to get bored. He smashes it for a little bit and then thinks, ‘I’ve done enough now’.
“But he’s a very, very good player. He’s a Brazilian international. He’s a world-class player, right? But I just think sometimes he goes, ‘Right, I’ve probably done enough for a little while now. Now I’ll settle down’.
“He’ll come in and out of the team, and I think that’s probably the frustration for Spurs fans in general. My brother’s a Spurs fan, and he’s constantly moaning about it, to be honest with you.
“But when he’s fit, and when he’s motivated, and when he wants it, you get this sort of performance [Against Burnley].”
Foster’s criticism of Richarlison is unfair on the Spurs forward
Of all the players at Tottenham, Richarlison is one of the ones who always seems to try his hardest, whether he is good enough or not. He is passionate and usually shows good energy when he is on the pitch.
The reason he is constantly in and out of the team is due to injuries, an issue which is largely out of his hands. Richarlison missed a staggering 37 matches last season due to four separate injuries, including problems with his hamstring, groin and calf.
Pundits ought to be mindful of this, but another thing to be wary of is not to overreact to Richarlison’s form. He may have put Burnley to the sword, but do his career achievements make him world-class?
Considering he has been linked with moves to Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the past year, as a result of his Tottenham struggles, probably not. But perhaps that gives the Brazilian something to prove this season. It would be interesting to see a fit and determined Richarlison get a real run in the side.
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