It’s still early in the season, but Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League campaign hasn’t exactly gotten off to a flying start. Under Ange Postecoglou, the team began with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City, followed that with a 4-0 victory over Everton, and then suffered a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
Although there’s still ample time for Tottenham to turn their season around, they’ll need key players like James Maddison to hit their stride and for squad members like Richarlison to stay fit and contribute effectively. Despite their significant talents, both players have been overshadowed by a former Spurs player who left the club quietly last year.
Richarlison, who has been with Tottenham for a longer period, has yet to make a substantial impact. In his first season with Spurs, he managed only three goals and four assists in 35 appearances, which was a disappointment given the expectations. His performance improved somewhat in the following season, with 12 goals and four assists in 31 matches, but his overall contribution remained modest, with a goal involvement every 2.86 games. This underwhelming performance prompted the club to invest £65 million in Dominic Solanke during the summer, effectively relegating Richarlison to a more limited role going forward.
In contrast, James Maddison, who was signed for £40 million last summer, had a relatively solid season despite dealing with some injury issues. He ended the campaign with four goals and nine assists in 30 games, translating to a goal involvement every 2.30 games. Maddison’s performance was a bright spot, but the club will need him to remain fit and continue delivering to maximize his impact.
Lucas Moura, a former Tottenham player who left the club last year with little fanfare, has been performing exceptionally well since returning to São Paulo. In the previous season, Moura scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 33 appearances, which was a notable performance. Despite being dropped from the Brazilian national team earlier in the year, he has recently been recalled, while Richarlison remains out of favor.
Moura’s success highlights his continued relevance and effectiveness, contrasting with the struggles of Richarlison and the mixed form of Maddison. Although Moura has outperformed both players in several aspects, Tottenham is unlikely to consider bringing him back in the near future.