Imagine He had fewer touches than Vicario: Ange must finally sell Spurs dud after 4/10 display
Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal domestic form showed no signs of improvement yesterday as they were once again unable to secure three points, drawing 1-1 with fierce London rivals West Ham United. The stalemate marks the 24th time in their last 35 Premier League matches that Spurs have failed to win—a statistic that speaks volumes about their struggles this season.
Ange Postecoglou’s men started brightly, with promising young winger Wilson Odobert giving them the lead early on. However, as has been the case far too often this campaign, they couldn’t maintain their advantage. Jarrod Bowen found the net for the Hammers to level the scores, and Tottenham never looked like regaining control thereafter.
With little at stake in terms of league standings, the lack of urgency and sharpness displayed by the team came as no great surprise. The primary focus now appears to be on the upcoming UEFA Europa League semi-final—arguably the only glimmer of hope remaining in Tottenham’s underwhelming season.
Despite the game’s diminished importance, the match provided Postecoglou with a valuable opportunity to assess the players currently at his disposal. With a critical summer transfer window fast approaching, these final fixtures serve as auditions for several members of the squad—some of whom are running out of chances to impress.
Evaluating Tottenham’s Underperformers
While Thursday night’s European outing against Bodo Glimt featured some standout performances—most notably from Yves Bissouma—the midfielder was unable to replicate that form at the London Stadium. The Malian international, who played the full 90 minutes, looked off the pace and ineffective. He lost possession ten times and failed to complete a single dribble, often appearing unsure with the ball at his feet and sluggish in transition.
Another underwhelming performer was Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish midfielder has struggled for consistency since returning from injury, and his lack of rhythm was once again apparent against West Ham. Kulusevski lost 12 individual duels—more than any other player on the pitch—and completed just one of six attempted dribbles. Despite his tireless running, he lacked the cutting edge needed to influence the game in Tottenham’s favor.
But perhaps the most disappointing showing came from Brazilian forward Richarlison, who may have done further damage to his already uncertain future at the club.
Richarlison’s Lackluster Display Highlights Bigger Issues
When Tottenham signed Richarlison for a hefty fee, there were high hopes he could be a game-changer. Unfortunately, he has rarely lived up to expectations, and his anonymous display against West Ham might be the final straw. Given a starting berth by Postecoglou, Richarlison was expected to lead the line with energy and intent. Instead, he barely made a mark on the contest.
A glaring statistic underlines his ineffectiveness: Richarlison had just 22 touches in the entire match—fewer than goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who recorded 44. The striker completed only four passes, failed to register a single successful dribble, and didn’t manage a shot on target. His positioning was questionable throughout, and he was flagged offside twice, further limiting his impact.
By the 68th minute, Postecoglou had seen enough, opting to replace him with teenager Mikey Moore—a telling decision that emphasized Richarlison’s lack of influence. Unsurprisingly, he was handed a lowly 4/10 rating by London World journalist Tony Bryant, summing up a performance that could hardly have been more disappointing.
Looking Ahead: Summer Overhaul on the Horizon
It is becoming increasingly clear that Tottenham’s current squad is in desperate need of a revamp. The 2024-25 season cannot be a repeat of this year’s underachievement, and that means significant changes are inevitable. Club chairman Daniel Levy must step up and provide the financial backing needed to reshape the squad to fit Postecoglou’s vision.
Given recent frugality in the transfer market, sales will almost certainly be necessary to fund new arrivals. That means trimming the squad and offloading players who haven’t delivered—Richarlison now firmly among them.
The Brazilian forward simply hasn’t shown the quality or consistency required for a club with ambitions of competing at the highest level. His performance against West Ham was not just a poor outing—it was a reflection of a wider pattern that has seen him contribute far less than what was expected when he arrived in North London.
If Spurs are serious about returning to the top four and competing for major honors, difficult decisions must be made. And one of the first names likely to be shown the door should be Richarlison.