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There were plenty of rumours swirling around his future, but Richarlison has made his stance clear at Tottenham and now insists this season could well be the defining one of his career, with the World Cup also looming large.
Tottenham Hotspur have started the new Premier League campaign brightly, picking up two wins from their opening fixtures.
At the centre of some of those strong displays has been Richarlison, who has already notched up three goal contributions in just two appearances, scoring twice and assisting once so far.
The Brazilian’s strike against Burnley, which was nominated for Premier League goal of the month, highlighted his confidence in front of goal, yet the reality is that Richarlison’s future could have been very different, as he had been linked with moves away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium only weeks earlier.
Richarlison reveals why he stayed at Tottenham
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Richarlison opened up about the speculation around his future and revealed the crucial conversation that convinced him to stay put at Spurs.
The forward said he always intended to remain in north London, stressing that his loyalty and desire to repay the club’s faith made the decision straightforward.
“The day I came back from vacation, I had a very good conversation with the coach. I told him that I wanted to stay, that I wanted to prove I deserve to play and have the chance to help the club this season. It’s a matter of honour for me.
“Tottenham invested a lot in my signing, they didn’t give up on me even when I was at my lowest. Now that things are changing and I feel good physically, I want the chance to give back to the club and the fans. I know I can deliver more.
“Offers did come, but I always made it clear that my priority was to stay, and Thomas said he’s counting on me. So, I think that issue ended there, in that conversation.
“Every player needs that peace of mind, knowing that what comes from outside is just speculation and that you have backing within the club. Playing with uncertainty is very difficult.
“For me, every season is the season of my life. Of course, the World Cup is an extra motivation, but I’ve always given everything for the clubs I played for and for the national team. I prepared myself a lot to handle the demanding season ahead, and I hope everything goes well.
“I have my goals for this year. The first is to stay healthy and keep at a high level throughout the year. That’s essential so I can help Tottenham perform well in the competitions we’ll play.
“This year we’re back in the Champions League after two years, the Premier League, where we need to have a campaign worthy of the club, then the World Cup, and so on.
“And I want to score goals, win titles, and be important for the club and the national team. I hope it’s a blessed season and that I can crown all this work by playing another World Cup.”
Richarlison faces competition in Spurs attack
Richarlison’s fast start has given Tottenham hope that he is finally ready to establish himself as a consistent presence in attack after several injury setbacks, but competition for places is fierce.
Dominic Solanke, who led the line for most of last season, has yet to feature consistently because of injuries, but when fit, he offers Thomas Frank another reliable centre-forward option.
The arrival of Kolo Muani on deadline day has added further depth, with the Frenchman expected to push hard for minutes, yet ultimately, Tottenham are the biggest winners here, as they now boast three strikers all hungry to prove themselves and make their mark.
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