Player Watch: Richarlison

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Unless Son retires or we receive some insane bid for him, I can't see a world where we sign 2 new CFs, if we end up selling Richy.

You might disagree with Ange but it's clear that he views Son as CF and will continue to play him there when he needs to.

So realistically, if we sold Richy, it could look like

New CF
Son
One of Veliz, Lankshear or Scarlett
Deki & Timo as additional CF options.

Agree with this. The fact we're looking to sign a LW/AM in Eze tells me that Son could end up playing CF quite a bit as I doubt Ange would let a player with Son's finishing ability ride the bench too often.

 

[DenverSpur]

If he goes to Saudi I will tattoo Neymar on my back.

Why?

 

[spursfast]

Why?

because its unbelievable if it happened, likely it won't

 

[WiganSpur]

Remember when Bale went on tour with us in 2013?

Doesn't mean anything.

Clearly makes sense to keep him involved until we’re sure there’s a deal on the table we are willing to accept.

 

[WiganSpur]

I don't think Son is going back to LW.

I actually don't think it really suits his game - if he plays the way Ange wants his wingers to play. Wingers are there to simply put the ball across the goal, and to get on the end of any crosses coming the other way.

He may not be ideal as a striker - but his best asset is his clinical striking ability - which is wasted on the wings in this set-up.

It may also be why someone like Deki gets a look at CM - since he can be one who helps hold the ball ball up.

Hope I’m wrong and we can squeeze out another couple of great seasons from him but this could be Son’s last season with us imo. I think at the very most he signs for another year or two as a bit part player on reduced wages.

 

[Hawkey77]

But what did we learn from the beginning of the season?

That Son is a great striker when facing the goal. With a functioning midfield, FBs and Wingers, Son is very dangerous at CF.

Obviously Son is not great back to goal. The first half of the season that wasn't an issue as the team was functioning properly and he could focus on running behind and stretching play.

Personally I would rather a top class starting striker, than a Richy level back up and similar level starter.

Kulu's hold up play, close control, and creativity is better than Richy's.

So if you want depth behind a better starting CF then Son, Kulu, Veliz / Lankshear, Johnson.

Covers just about every profile you would use Richy for, and you're starting XI is much much better.

Ricky's a good player, likeable character, but imo technically limited and at 27 now is the best time to sell for decent money and rebuild.

100 likes over, exactly how I see the world!

 

[GutBucket]

Why?

Just a joke, Richarlison did it himself and it's pretty bad, plus if he leaves it will probably be because the likes of Neymar are now in that league. I think he wouldn't refuse to play with Neymar there but who knows.

 

[Langley]

I cannot believe after what we seen last season and previously that Son will play up top. He cannot play there effectively and although he may get the odd goal there he looked completely lost last season playing as a 9. I will be so annoyed if we see Richarlison head off and we do not get a like for like replacement. The number 9 position was one we desperately needed to reinforce even with Richarlison. Lankshear has done well in friendlies but we cannot go into the season with him, Veliz or Scarlett as the backup.

 

[Roberts84]

I cannot believe after what we seen last season and previously that Son will play up top. He cannot play there effectively and although he may get the odd goal there he looked completely lost last season playing as a 9. I will be so annoyed if we see Richarlison head off and we do not get a like for like replacement. The number 9 position was one we desperately needed to reinforce even with Richarlison. Lankshear has done well in friendlies but we cannot go into the season with him, Veliz or Scarlett as the backup.

Why wouldn’t we replace Richarlison if we so him. We’ve been sniffing around strikers all summer and I assume it’s for a view to replace ours, if he leaves

 

[freeeki]

Until he’s gone, he isn’t.

Facts. He's also 27 until he's 28.

 

[cliff jones]

If Richy goes, replacing him with another 9 becomes top priority. This could explain why we havent pressed go on any other big deals, when Ange wanted business done before that plane took off.

 

[Langley]

Why wouldn’t we replace Richarlison if we so him. We’ve been sniffing around strikers all summer and I assume it’s for a view to replace ours, if he leaves

My point being, even if we keep Richarlison - not having an established number 9 is insane given RIcharlison injury record. Son cannot play centrally. He has to be on the left.

 

[HildoSpur]

My point being, even if we keep Richarlison - not having an established number 9 is insane given RIcharlison injury record. Son cannot play centrally. He has to be on the left.

Son scored 17 goals last season mostly playing centrally. It may not be his best position or he might not be the best fit for our system however he is more than good enough to play there if required, the guy is one of the deadliest finishers in the league with both feet.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

My point being, even if we keep Richarlison - not having an established number 9 is insane given RIcharlison injury record. Son cannot play centrally. He has to be on the left.

I do agree to an extent, however if our midfield and front line are functioning correctly - as in keeping possession and pressing with intensity when out of possession, there should be less need for the back to goal stuff that Son is poor at. Son is perfectly fine as a false 9 type but when the team aren't passing and moving like they should or resorting to lumping balls to him it's not going to work. I'm hoping with the addition or players such as Neto and Eze it will mean Son can concentrate on being the excellent finisher he is rather than battling big physical centrebacks.

 

[mark87]

Son scored 17 goals last season mostly playing centrally. It may not be his best position or he might not be the best fit for our system however he is more than good enough to play there if required, the guy is one of the deadliest finishers in the league with both feet.

Scored 13 from 24 games as the central striker, that's just shy of two every three games. Not bad for someone who 'cannot play centrally'.

 

[Albertbarich]

Son will always offer goals but that stat on isolation doesn't tell the full story.

His hold up play is atrocious , he can't play with his back to goal and as it stands the two on the flanks will also be players that want to run away from the play.

Now if we sign Eze and another winger that loves to dribble then maybe we can hold on to the ball and negate the need for sonny to hold it up but until we transform the flanks we need a striker like Richy that can hold it up, can win physical duels and keep the ball up there.

Jigsaw puzzle I guess but selling Richy does complicate it I think.

 

[HildoSpur]

Son will always offer goals but that stat on isolation doesn't tell the full story.

His hold up play is atrocious , he can't play with his back to goal and as it stands the two on the flanks will also be players that want to run away from the play.

Now if we sign Eze and another winger that loves to dribble then maybe we can hold on to the ball and negate the need for sonny to hold it up but until we transform the flanks we need a striker like Richy that can hold it up, can win physical duels and keep the ball up there.

Jigsaw puzzle I guess but selling Richy does complicate it I think.

I think the point people are making is that if we are able to bring in quality in wide attacking areas then we won't need somebody to play with their back to goal, which as you rightly say is not Son's game at all. I think what we will be needing up top is a poacher who can play in and around the box, make good runs and finish well. Son can do that very well. I think Ange wants his wide players to be progressive and make lots of crosses and low balls into the box and he just wants somebody to finish those chances off rather than be the sort of striker we have got used to with Kane.

 

[mil1lion]

The main priority really is we need a strong front 3. Son is the only one for sure good enough. Whether he plays on the left or up top I'm not fussed, happy with what Ange goes with. I think with Richarlison he just isn't consistent enough or fit enough. So whether we sell him or not we should be looking for 2 more attacking player. Either 2 wide players or 1 and a striker. We could be ok if we sign a versatile player like Eze or Doue where they can start on the left with Son up top maybe. Players will rotate positions anyway , as long as we have enough first team quality players we keep them involved by having them play different positions in attack. Not many of the top teams actually have more than 1 centre forward. They tend to have versatile forwards who can play wide or up top as well.

 

[mark87]

Hahaha

 

[Trent Crimm]

If we can get approx £60m we should take it. On his day he’s a handful but his injury record is poor and I’d argue he’s not a player that would start for our top four rivals. I think we could do better.

What if it’s 58 or 59m