It has now become clear that one Tottenham player may face a longer absence than originally expected.
Tottenham Star Faces Extended Absence
2024 has certainly been a challenging year for Richarlison, with the Brazilian forward enduring a series of injuries that have disrupted his season. The 27-year-old’s difficulties started early in the year and have continued, with setbacks occurring one after another. His most recent injury occurred during Tottenham’s dominant 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at the start of this month, where Richarlison suffered a hamstring injury while assisting a goal for teammate Dominic Solanke.
Following the incident, several reports suggested that Richarlison may have sustained a grade three tear, which typically indicates a significant injury. However, it now appears that his situation may be worse than initially anticipated.
Injury More Severe Than Initially Thought
Initially, it was believed that Richarlison had injured his right thigh, but without any damage to his tendon. Under these circumstances, the typical recovery time for such an injury would be between four to six weeks. However, new reports from the Brazilian media outlet Trivela indicate that Richarlison’s condition is more serious than first expected.
Trivela now reveals that the medical team at Tottenham has reassessed the injury and concluded that Richarlison’s recovery is likely to take much longer. The Spurs medical staff now believes that it is unlikely the forward will play again this year, and that his return to action will likely be in early 2025. This marks a significant setback for both the player and the club, as they had hoped for a quicker recovery.
One More Month on the Sidelines – Not a Catastrophe, But Still a Blow
While the news of an extended absence is clearly disappointing, it’s not necessarily a disaster for Tottenham if Richarlison is back by the start of 2025. Given that the injury wasn’t expected to be long-term initially, having him back in action in just one more month is manageable, though certainly not ideal. The timing, just after the winter break, could allow the forward to regain fitness before the team resumes their competitive fixtures.
However, the bigger concern for Tottenham is the potential for further injury setbacks. Recent history has shown that Richarlison has struggled to maintain fitness for prolonged periods, and the risk of re-injury remains high. There are growing concerns within the club that even with careful management of his workload, Richarlison may struggle to stay fit for an extended period of time, which could affect his ability to contribute consistently in the second half of the season.
Spurs Could Explore Transfer Market for Striker Backup
Given Richarlison’s injury woes and his uncertain fitness moving forward, it may prompt Tottenham to consider strengthening their attacking options in the January transfer window. Head coach Ange Postecoglou will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the situation, as he will need a reliable backup to support Dominic Solanke in case Richarlison’s return is delayed further or his fitness issues continue to plague him.
The lack of a dependable striker could leave Tottenham vulnerable in the second half of the season, especially if Solanke were to face any injuries or suspensions. It remains to be seen whether Spurs will opt to invest in a new striker or rely on their existing squad options, but the situation surrounding Richarlison’s recovery will undoubtedly influence the club’s strategy as the new year approaches.