Though it’s early in the season, Tottenham Hotspur have not enjoyed the best start to their Premier League campaign.
Ange Postecoglou’s side began with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City, followed by a 4-0 win over Everton, but then suffered a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United. Despite the potential for a strong season ahead, Tottenham will need key players like James Maddison to perform consistently and squad members like Richarlison to be fit and ready.
However, despite their talents, Maddison and Richarlison have been overshadowed by a former Spurs player who left the club last year with minimal fanfare.
**Richarlison’s Performance**
Richarlison, who has been with Spurs for a season longer, has shown mixed results. In his first season, the forward scored only three goals and provided four assists in 35 appearances. His performance improved the following season with 12 goals and four assists in 31 games, but overall, his average of a goal involvement every 2.86 games was modest for a center-forward. This led Spurs to invest £65 million in Dominic Solanke this summer, pushing Richarlison to a more limited role.
**Maddison’s Contributions**
James Maddison, who joined Tottenham for £40 million last summer, also had a season with mixed results. Despite an injury-affected end to the year, he managed four goals and nine assists in 30 matches, averaging a goal involvement every 2.30 games. His quality was evident at times, but his overall impact was overshadowed by the performance of another former Spurs player.
**Lucas Moura’s Revival**
Lucas Moura, who left Spurs last August to return to his former club São Paulo on a free transfer, has excelled since his departure. The 32-year-old had seen his role diminish in his final seasons at Tottenham, but he has since become a key player for São Paulo. Last season, Moura scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 33 appearances, matching Richarlison’s output and surpassing Maddison’s. Additionally, Moura has recently been called up to the Brazilian national team, whereas Richarlison was dropped in May.
Ultimately, Lucas Moura’s move from Spurs has been beneficial for him, outperforming both Maddison and Richarlison in various aspects. Despite his success, Tottenham is unlikely to seek his return in the near future.
