Carragher launches attack on ‘poor’ Tottenham recruitment after Richarlison’s X-rated rant goes viral
Jamie Carragher has labelled Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison as an example of their wastefulness in the transfer market in recent years.
The Brazil international arrived in North London with high expectations after a successful stint at Everton but has struggled for consistent minutes under Antonio Conte this season.
Richarlison let rip at the Italian coach on Wednesday, complaining about his lack of playing time and adding that he was baffled as to why he has been left out recently.
The forward has only scored two goals in 25 appearances for Tottenham, though, with both of them coming against Marseille back in September.
Tottenham paid a hefty £60m for Richarlison last summer, but recently, he seems to have fallen behind the likes of Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son in the pecking order.
Richarlison was brought on for 20 minutes in Spurs’ crucial Champions League bout with AC Milan on Wednesday, which saw his side draw 0-0 and knocked out on aggregate.
Richarlison says Conte is ‘not understandable’
In response to the result, the former Toffee launched an attack on Conte: “We’re out of the biggest club competition, but we can’t play like this needing a goal, we have to put people forward, especially in the second half,’ Richalrison said.
When asked about Conte’s decision to not start him, he added: “I also didn’t get that. I was playing well, I was in good form, I had two wins against West Ham and Chelsea and all of a sudden he put me on the bench.
“Against Wolves he played me for five minutes, I asked why and they didn’t tell me anything.
“Yesterday he asked me to do a test at the training ground, he said if I did well he’d play me, and when the match came he benched me. These things are not understandable.
“If the season is, sorry for the word, is sh*t… why do I not get minutes? I got a small injury but when I’m on the pitch I give my life.
“I came from two good games, especially against Chelsea where I played the 90 minutes and won a match.
‘There’s not much to discuss, I should have played and now I wouldn’t have to sit here crying.”
Following the disappointing result, pressure is mounting on Conte, with Daniel Levy already lining up potential candidates to replace him at the end of the season.
Carragher launches Spurs attack after Richy rant
Carragher has now added his perspective on Tottenham’s disappointing business in recent years, targeting Richarlison in particular.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph, the former Liverpool man said: “Spurs went into pre-season having just finished above Arsenal.”
“Then they paid £60 million for Richarlison, the man who plays No 9 for Brazil, to be a backup striker. Arsenal bought his international understudy Gabriel Jesus for £45 million.
“Who made the smarter purchase? Spurs have fallen way behind Arsenal because of poor football decisions and erratic performances, not lack of investment.”
Indeed, while Arsenal are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League and in with a real chance of their first title since 2005… Tottenham have shown no real signs of progress.
As mentioned, they were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday, which was their last real chance to win a trophy.
Now, they must switch their attention to securing their spot in the top four, but with Newcastle and Liverpool firmly in the race, there is no guarantee of that either.
Richarlison may not have got the playing time he feels he deserves this season under Conte but considering he has scored three fewer goals than Jesus despite playing five more games than his compatriot… it’s clear to see which London side did the better business.
