Tottenham have it all to do in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. Last in action in the competition three weeks ago when they fell to a slender 1-0 loss against AC Milan at the San Siro, Spurs must overturn their deficit or else their European aspirations will come to an abrupt end.
Coming into the showdown on the back of an FA Cup exit and a late defeat at Wolves, Antonio Conte and his players must stop a nightmare week from getting even worse. Very much controlling proceedings in Milan but struggling to make things happen in the final third, everything needs to click this time around if they are to reach the final eight of the Champions League.
Tottenham need their big players to step up to the plate and deliver. Harry Kane surprisingly only has one goal to his name in this season's competition, with Son Heung-min and Richarlison currently leading the way on two for the Lilywhites.
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The Brazilian's goals did come in Tottenham's first European game of the campaign as his late double helped them secure an important 2-0 win over Marseille in Group D. It was a huge day in the player's career as just after signing on the dotted line from Everton he did mention that he couldn't wait to play in the Champions League and hear the famous anthem.
The 25-year-old was in tears after his heroics and celebrated the feat with his family once the full-time whistle had sounded. Brazil's No.9 came in for plenty of praise from Conte, with the Italian stating that his new signing "deserved to have a night like this".
"I’m very happy for Richy. He deserved to have a night like this," said the 53-year-old in his post-match press conference. "I remember when we signed him he said I can’t wait to hear the Champions League music and play in this competition. Not many words but important words for me.
"Today, I remembered this and I said to him, 'Richy I remembered what you said, this is your chance and you deserved this, enjoy this and try to do your best'. He did his best, and he helped us get three points in a difficult game."
Looking like a start of things to come for Richarlison in a Tottenham shirt, those moments have been extremely hard to come by for the attacker since his brace against the French side. Injuries have played a big part in his Tottenham struggles, notably missing games before and after the World Cup and only just returning to action midway through January.
Only going to rediscover his best form once he was given a sustained run in the team rather than getting minutes here and there at the end of matches, the ex-Watford man did play his part in the wins over West Ham and Chelsea but then disappointed as he led the line away at Sheffield United. Not the only one to fail as Spurs exited the FA Cup in embarrassing fashion, so much more is expected of Richarlison due to the hefty £60million transfer fee the club paid out for his services last July.
Attackers are always going to be judged on their goal output, with even more scrutiny on players who cost eye-watering fees. The price tag will always be used as a stick to beat him with and Tottenham are far from getting value for money as things stand.
Richarlison needs to start delivering, ideally starting on Wednesday night as Tottenham look for a way past the Rossoneri with a place in the Champions League quarter-finals at stake. He has delivered plenty of times on the big occasion in the past, with his double against Marseille and his two goals in Brazil's World Cup opener against Serbia very much up there.
He also played a pivotal role last season in helping Everton avoid the drop with a game to spare. His performances and goals, especially against Leicester City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, dragged the team kicking and screaming over the line with relegation to the Championship looking a real possibility.
Richarlison got the move to a Champions League club that he fully deserved but Tottenham are still waiting to see the very best of him eight months after penning a long-term deal in N17. The Nova Venecia-born player has a big part to play for Spurs on Wednesday evening against AC Milan, whether that be from the off or coming off the bench in the second half.
Proving to be the man for the big occasion during his time at Everton, now more than ever Conte and Tottenham fans need to see it from the attacker in Europe's premier competition with another possible cup exit on the cards. Announcing himself to the Tottenham faithful with his two goals against Marseille, some more Champions League heroics could just be the tonic he needs to really kickstart his Spurs career and stop the team's season from completely unravelling.
Tottenham need a hero on Wednesday evening and Richarlison will be doing everything in his power to ensure he is that man.
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