ANGE POSTECOGLOU will only pick Richarlison at Fulham on Tuesday for the right reasons — not just to give his goal-shy ace a pick-me-up.
The straight-talking Aussie says he only selects “winners” for Tottenham and is not one for sentimental decisions.
Postecoglou hauled Richarlison off an hour into Spurs’ 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday after he missed two sitters.
And asked if he would start the 26-year-old in the upcoming Carabao Cup tie to help him bag his first goal of the season, Postecoglou replied: “No, I pick teams I think will win games.
“I am not going to put him in to try and help him in some individual pursuit.
“I will put Richy in the team if I think we can win with him in, not because I am trying to get him into a certain space.”
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Spurs face a Fulham side bossed by Marco Silva, the man who gave Richarlison his big break in English football by signing him when he was Watford manager back in 2017.
Despite his tough start to the season, Silva says the forward has what it takes to replace Harry Kane.
Richarlison has played more games under Silva — who also signed him from the Hornets for £40million when he became Everton chief — than any other boss, scoring 26 goals in 82 matches for the Portuguese tactician.
Silva said: “Richarlison is a very good player but it is going to be tough for him.
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“If you buy ten strikers to play for Spurs this season it will be tough for anyone.
“They’ve lost the best English striker, one of the best in the world.
“I hope not against us but it is up to Richarlison to show his quality.
“We are talking about Brazil’s No 9. When you play as No 9 for Brazil that speaks about your quality.
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“He is a good lad and a really hard worker. He has worked really hard to achieve what he has and get to this level. I know because I was responsible for bringing him to England and to another club in England.
“To be at Tottenham and No 9 for his national team, I know he has the talent to get to that level.”
Postecoglou says he has not had much luck in Cup draws but is looking forward to travelling across London.
He said: “I love winning. I don’t care what it is. I love winning and the players know that.
“I don’t care if it is a cup, playing in the car park or on a rooftop.
“I haven’t had great luck with draws in my career. I expect them to be challenging.
“But that’s all right, it’s a good challenge.”
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The Aussie boss expects a number of players to leave this week, including £55m club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele.
Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who made his first competitive appearance for Spurs in 18 months as a 74th-minute sub at Bournemouth, will start at Craven Cottage.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
