Richarlison is expected to have another opportunity to kickstart his spluttering season into life in Tottenham's Carabao Cup second-round tie at Fulham tonight.
After just three games under Ange Postecoglou, it is too early to talk about pressure, but the Brazilian feels like a player in desperate need of a goal, particularly as the new head coach's patience is likely to have limits.
Richarlison allowed his frustration to get the better of him in Saturday's 2-0 win over Bournemouth, earning a rash booking before being substituted for a second consecutive match, having not made a significant impression for the third game in a row.
Like every member of the squad, Richarlison is adjusting to a new approach, while also suffering a hangover from a difficult first season at Spurs, as well as coping with the twin expectations of a £60million price tag and filling the gaping hole left by Harry Kane.
Postecoglou, who will make changes at Craven Cottage tonight, is not the type to play his stars into form and will only pick Richarlison if he is continuing to be a net positive for the team.
"I will put Richy in the team because I think we can win the game with him in the team, not because I am trying to get him into a certain space," the head coach said. "This is not something we're trying to create to help individuals through a process, we want to win games of football and we want to play the game a certain way. Every time I pick a team, that is all that's in my head."
The addition of Brennan Johnson, who Spurs are pursuing from Nottingham Forest, would increase the competition for places in Postecoglou's front line, while the Australian has also said that he sees Heung-min Son as an option to play central striker.
In time, Richarlison could also face competition from summer signing Alejo Veliz and Dane Scarlett, both 19, although Postecoglou has said the former is unlikely to feature in the first half of the campaign as he adjusts to a new environment.
Richarlison needs and deserves a proper run in the side, but it is also clear that there will be no passengers in Postecoglou's rapidly-evolving side, leaving Brazil's No9 needing to make an impact soon.
