Antonio Conte has been told how to punish Richarlison after the striker ripped into him on Wednesday evening. The 25-year-old questioned the Tottenham boss' decision to bench him in the club's crucial Champions League round of 16 second-leg against AC Milan.
Richarlison had played a prominent role in all but one of Spurs' games ahead of the clash with the Italian giants. He started against West Ham, Chelsea and Sheffield United but then against Wolves, was only handed a few minutes off the bench.
In the Brazil international's interview with TNT Sports Brazil after the defeat to Milan, he claimed that he was told he would start providing he passed a fitness on the eve of the bout. Richarlison claimed that he was given no ultimatum nor an explanation for his absence from the starting lineup.
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"I didn't understand... I was playing well," the Brazilian said. "We won against Chelsea and West Ham and suddenly I was on the bench. I played five minutes against Wolves, asked the reason and no-one told me why.
"Yesterday they asked me to take a fitness test in the gym and told me I was going to start today if I passed it. And today I was on the bench, there are things I can't understand.
"There was no explanation again, let's see what he will tell us tomorrow but I'm not silly, I'm a professional that works hard every day and I want to play. There hasn't been enough minutes given to me, this season - and forgive my language - has been *expletive*.
"I don't have enough minutes, was injured for a bit, but when I'm on the pitch I give my life. I played well in two games, especially against Chelsea, so I think I should have played tonight, but I can't go on crying about it now."
Speaking on talkSPORT, Gabby Agbonlahor jumped to Conte's defence and instructed the Spurs boss to relegate Richarlison to the Under-18s. The former Aston Villa striker said: "He’s come out and said that he’s had a positive moment and Conte’s put me on the bench.
"His positive moment is two games, zero goals. I don’t get it. Positive for £60million is a couple of goals, couple of assists. So don’t be moaning when you’re not performing when you’re given a chance. And if I’m Conte and Conte looks like that sort of manager, I’m sure his boots and kit are in the Under-18s dressing room this morning."
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