Thomas Frank's Spurs: Richarlison's Time to Shine?

Tottenham's Richarlison

Richarlison's inconsistent form has raised concerns, but Thomas Frank's expertise in coaching strikers could be the key to unlocking his potential.

Richarlison's time at Tottenham has been a rollercoaster, but Thomas Frank's appointment as manager could be the catalyst for a breakout season. The Brazilian striker showcased his skills in the 3-0 win against Burnley, scoring a brace and demonstrating his importance to the team. Frank praised Richarlison's performance, highlighting his work rate, link-up play, and finishing ability.

Richarlison's Form and Fitness

Injury Concerns: Richarlison's injury record has been a concern, with calf, hamstring, and groin issues limiting his playing time. Frank will need to manage him carefully to maximize his contributions.

Recent Performance: Richarlison's two goals against Burnley have boosted his confidence, and he's shown glimpses of his potential in the past. With Frank's guidance, he might finally fulfill his role as Tottenham's main attacking threat.

Competition and Alternatives

Dominic Solanke: The English striker is expected to lead the line for Tottenham, with Richarlison potentially competing for a starting spot.

Yoane Wissa: Thomas Frank's former Brentford star has been linked to Tottenham, and a potential transfer could impact Richarlison's future at the club.

Upcoming Fixtures

Manchester City: Tottenham faces Manchester City on August 23, followed by matches against Bournemouth, West Ham United, and Brighton & Hove Albion in the coming weeks.

Frank's assessment of Richarlison during pre-season preparations will likely determine his future at Tottenham. If Richarlison can stay fit and impress Frank, he might become the main man for Spurs.

Richarlison's 2024-25 season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 24 games and 5 goals across all competitions under Ange Postecoglou's management. However, his recent performance against Burnley has sparked hope for a turnaround. The 28-year-old Brazilian striker scored a breathtaking bicycle kick in the 60th minute, which is already gaining attention as a potential Goal of the Season contender.

New Chapter Under Thomas Frank

With Thomas Frank now at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur, Richarlison might finally find his footing. Frank's appointment could bring a change in dynamics, potentially suiting Richarlison's playing style. Although it's early days, Richarlison's limited minutes (71 minutes) under the new regime have shown glimpses of his skill.

Richarlison's Career Stats

• Matches Played: 392
• Goals Scored: 114
• Assists: 34
• Penalty Conversion Rate: 80% (8/10 penalties scored)

As Richarlison continues to adapt to the new management, his performances will be closely watched. Will he maintain this momentum and live up to the hype, or will injuries continue to hinder his progress? Only time will tell.

Increased Responsibility for Richarlison

With James Maddison set to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Richarlison is likely to take on more responsibility for Tottenham Hotspur. Maddison's injury, sustained during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United, will keep him sidelined for around 8-10 months, similar to the recovery times of other Spurs players like Rodrigo Bentancur and Ivan Perisic.

Great in-stadium footage of the second best scissor kick goal of Richarlison’s career ✂️pic.twitter.com/RvhsrHebLh

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 16, 2025

Richarlison's Role and Performance

Richarlison's versatility and skills make him a suitable candidate to fill the gap left by Maddison's injury. He showcased his abilities against Burnley, scoring a stunning bicycle kick, and also demonstrated his capability as a target man against PSG, holding up play and assisting teammates. With Dejan Kulusevski also recovering from a serious knee injury, Richarlison's role in the team is expected to increase significantly.

Impact on Tottenham's Season

Maddison's absence will undoubtedly impact Tottenham's performance, and Richarlison's ability to step up will be crucial to the team's success. Thomas Frank, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, will need to carefully manage to find a suitable replacement for Maddison, potentially through signing a new creative midfielder like Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze. The team will rely heavily on its existing talent to overcome the challenges posed by these injuries.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is clearly impressed with Richarlison, emphasizing the importance of keeping the Brazilian striker fit for the entire season. After witnessing Richarlison's impressive performance against Burnley, Frank highlighted the need to manage Richarlison's fitness to maximize his contributions to the team. With key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski sidelined due to injuries, Richarlison's role becomes even more crucial, and Frank's focus on his fitness could be key to the team's success.

"He was very good against PSG and today he was exceptional, with his work-rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating and then the two finishes.” He said.

“So happy on his behalf and again performance department, medical department did a top job to build him. I think a few of you know he was not involved in the first friendly because we had to build him. 

“That will be continuous and something we need to look at throughout the season. It is only the second game of the season; there is a long way to go but very positive with him.”

Richarlison is poised to solidify his spot as Tottenham's preferred number nine, given Dominic Solanke's ongoing fitness issues. Although Solanke showed promising signs in his 19-minute cameo against Burnley, replacing Richarlison, the Brazilian's impressive performance may have secured his starting position.

Recent Performance Comparison:

Richarlison: Scored a stunning bicycle kick and led the line effectively, showcasing his skills and work rate. He earned a player rating of 9, highlighting his significant contribution to Tottenham's 3-0 win over Burnley.

Dominic Solanke: Made a brief appearance, but his fitness issues are evident, and he may struggle to displace Richarlison from the starting lineup immediately. Solanke received a player rating of 3, indicating that he didn't have a significant impact on the game.

Injury Update and Team Dynamics:

James Maddison: Sidelined with an ACL injury, which could keep him out for 8-10 months, leaving a significant gap in the team.

Dejan Kulusevski: Also recovering from a serious knee injury, which might impact Tottenham's lineup and strategy.

Thomas Frank: Emphasizes managing player fitness to prevent injuries and ensure the team's success.

Instant Impact: Mohammed Kudus Shines at Tottenham

Mohammed Kudus is making waves at Tottenham Hotspur, and it's likely that he'll be considered the signing of the season come May. After being a standout player for West Ham United, despite the team's struggles, Kudus has taken his talents to a ”big six” club and is making the most of it. His impressive performance against Burnley, where he provided an assist for Richarlison's first goal and scored a stunning second goal, has caught the attention of fans and pundits alike.

Kudus' Statistics:

• Transfer Fee: £55 million from West Ham United

• Contract: Six-year deal until June 2031

• Position: Right wing, attacking midfielder

• Goals and Assists: 19 goals in 80 games for West Ham United.

Kudus' Impact on Tottenham:

Tactical Flexibility: Kudus' versatility across the frontline gives Spurs a tactical edge, allowing Thomas Frank to implement various formations and strategies.

Creative Spark: His combination of directness, flair, and control makes him a natural fit for Frank's high-tempo, aggressive pressing style.

Potential: With his impressive start, Kudus might become one of the most important players in the English football league.

Mohammed Kudus' clever playmaking set up Richarlison's stunning bicycle kick goal. The Ghanaian midfielder skillfully beat Quilindschy Hartman before delivering a precise cross that Richarlison met with impeccable timing, resulting in a breathtaking goal.

Kudus' Playmaking Ability:

Beating Defenders: Kudus showcased his speed and agility by leaving Hartman behind, creating space to deliver a quality cross.

Vision and Precision: His cross, although slightly behind Richarlison, demonstrated his ability to pick out teammates in the box.

Creative Contribution: Kudus' playmaking was instrumental in setting up scoring opportunities, highlighting his importance to Tottenham's attacking play.

Coaching Strikers with Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank's expertise in coaching strikers is evident from his successful tenure at Brentford. During his seven-year stint, he worked with talented strikers like Ollie Watkins, Neal Maupay, Ivan Toney, Yoane Wissa, and Bryan Mbeumo. Frank's approach focuses on developing strikers who can bring teammates into play, creating a more dynamic and collaborative attacking unit.

Key Characteristics of Frank's Strikers

Physicality: Frank's strikers, such as Watkins and Toney, are physical forwards capable of competing with center-backs in aerial and ground duels.

Link-up Play: Frank emphasizes the importance of strikers bringing teammates into play, creating scoring opportunities through clever movement and passing.

Tactical Flexibility: Frank's formations often allow strikers to make runs behind the defense or drop deep to create space and confusion among opponents.

Richarlison's Potential Under Thomas Frank

Richarlison's skills and versatility make him an ideal fit for Thomas Frank's high-energy, high-pressure system. Out of possession, Richarlison excels in defensive situations, and his technical ability allows him to find space and pick up the ball in tight areas. Frank's adaptability is a key factor in maximizing Richarlison's potential.

Tactical Flexibility:

Formation Changes: Frank has shown willingness to switch formations based on opponents, potentially deploying a 3-5-2 system against stronger teams.

Striker Partnerships: Richarlison might play alongside Dominic Solanke, mirroring the successful partnership of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford.

Adaptability: Frank's ability to adjust tactics could lead to a successful partnership between Richarlison and Solanke, delighting Spurs fans.

Richarlison's Breakout Season Prospects

Richarlison's inconsistent performance has raised concerns about his reliability, but under Thomas Frank's management, he might finally find his footing. Frank's success with strikers like Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney at Brentford suggests he knows how to coach players with similar profiles to Richarlison. Given the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Richarlison's potential consistency could make him a top contender for a breakout season.

Key Factors Influencing Richarlison's Success:

Fitness: Richarlison's injury record has been a significant concern, and Frank will need to manage him carefully to maximize his contributions.

Tactical Flexibility: Frank's ability to adapt formations could benefit Richarlison, potentially allowing him to play alongside Dominic Solanke or in different roles.

Player Profile: Richarlison's technical ability and work rate align with Frank's preferred player profile, which emphasizes high-energy, high-pressure roles.

Potential Outcomes:

Breakout Season: If Richarlison can stay fit and consistent, he might have a standout season under Frank, potentially earning him a spot in Brazil's World Cup squad.

Competition and Alternatives: However, Tottenham's pursuit of other signings, like Mohammed Kudus, might impact Richarlison's role and future at the club.