Tottenham announced their fourth summer signing of the summer on Friday morning, with Richarlison making the move from Everton, on a five-year deal. The Brazilian scored ten goals and registered five assists in his 30 Premier League appearances last season.
The 25-year-old's move to N17 will provide Antonio Conte with not only added quality to his squad, but also provide more depth in his attacking options. Richarlison can play across the front three and will allow the Italian to make rotations in his attacking trio, which will be needed next season, with the busy fixure schedule Spurs have.
There are likely to be more deals done this summer, with the Lilywhites linked with players across the world. Richarlison became Tottenham's fourth new arrival, after Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma, but not everyone thinks the move was the best option.
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Andros Townsend was once a Spurs player and after various moves, has ended up at Everton. Of course he may have been making the comments in support of his current club and now former teammate, but Townsend didn't believe a move to N17 was the best choice for Richarlison.
"I think you’re being slightly disrespectful by calling Spurs a step up! I think Everton is one of the biggest clubs in England, one of the most historic clubs, one of the biggest fanbases," he said on talkSPORT, earlier in the week.
"He’s already a hero at Everton for what he’s done. He’s a fantastic player and towards the end of the season the goals he scored to keep us up.
"We speak about what Frank Lampard did for the team, what the fans did to lift us. But Richarlison came back from injury, scored goals and kept us up, so he’s already got hero status at the club," he added.
The Brazilian made over 130 Premier League appearances for The Toffees, since his move in 2018 and scored over 40 goals. However his time in the North has come to an end and although Townsend doesn't think it is what's best, Gus Poyet responded to the former Tottenham players' comments and shed more of a positive light on the move.
"In my book of football, it's a step up. Richarlison will go from finishing 16th to a team that finished fourth," Poyet said, speaking to Lord Ping. "If people want to say that Everton and Spurs are on the same level then I respect their opinion but the league table never lies and at the moment there's a big difference and it's a massive step up."
As Poyet alludes to, Everton were battling for relegation last season and finished 16th. Whereas Spurs made solid signings in January, welcomed a new manager and finished in the top four, so it seems hard to compare the two.
"It's too early to read into any club at the moment. Spurs are definitely stronger than they were this time last year and they'll be in a better position because of the players they're signing because Antonio Conte knows them very well and they're going to bring something extra to the team," he added.
The ex-Tottenham player and manager did point out where the Brazilian could struggle in Conte's side. "It's another question whether Richarlison can compete with the players that are there or not," Poyet admitted.
The 25-year-old is going to have to come in and compete with Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, for a spot in the Italian's regular front three. The trio became a dangerous attack for many opposing Premier League sides last season and it will be difficult to replace them in the regular XI.
However Conte needs squad depth next season and rotation will be inevitable, so Richarlison isn't likely to be left out.
The 54-year-old went on to give his assessment of where Spurs are at now and what their aim for next season should be. "The only competition they have at the moment is Chelsea because it's to finish third, but for me right now, they can't compete with Liverpool or Man City - it's too optimistic to say they'll go from practically nothing to Premier League contenders," Poyet explained.
"Tottenham's aim next season should be to continue finishing above Chelsea and I think the aim for title contention is too much."
There is still plenty of time for Spurs to make more signings and add further strength and quality to Conte's squad, as the Lilywhites prepare for the tough pre-season ahead. It has been a good start to the summer window in N17 and one everyone will hope will continue.
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