It’s been said time and again, but why didn’t Tottenham Hotspur directly replace Harry Kane in 2023?
The decision not to sign a striker that summer almost left Ange Postecoglou with one hand tied behind his back from the off, the Aussie forced to rely on the likes of Richarlison to try and fill that gaping void.
The Brazilian did end Postecoglou’s first season with 11 Premier League goals, although he’s scored just 27 times in the top flight in total in four years, a dismal record for a centre-forward.
|
Richarlison’s Premier League Record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals (Assists) |
|
26/27 |
1 |
0 (0) |
|
25/26 |
32 |
11 (4) |
|
24/25 |
15 |
4 (1) |
|
23/24 |
28 |
11 (4) |
|
22/23 |
27 |
1 (3) |
|
21/22 |
30 |
10 (5) |
|
20/21 |
34 |
7 (3) |
|
19/20 |
36 |
13 (3) |
|
18/19 |
35 |
13 (1) |
|
17/18 |
38 |
5 (4) |
Now exiled under Roberto De Zerbi, the end is nigh for the 29-year-old’s time at N17. That said, where will Tottenham’s goals come from this season?
Where Richarlison ranks among top scorers under De Zerbi so far
If anyone needed a reminder of the futility of pre-season, Tottenham’s early-season form is an example of that, with De Zerbi’s men going unbeaten over the summer, albeit while yet to win, or score, in 2026/27.
The form of Richarlison over the summer has also counted for little too, the ex-Everton man scoring against Auckland FC, Chelsea and Hoffenheim, yet now out in the cold following his omission from the Premier League squad.
The experienced striker was wretched on the opening weekend against Brentford, outclassed by compatriot Igor Thiago at the other end.
And yet, even if it is a small sample size, Richarlison, alongside Joao Palhinha, remains the leading scorer in competitive games since De Zerbi took charge, the pair the only two players to have scored twice.
That’s not to say Spurs aren’t right to be ruthless with regard to Richarlison, but it points to the woes of the other members of the forward line.
Equally too, of the 11 players to have scored under De Zerbi, Mikey Moore, Kevin Danso and Palhinha are no longer part of the first-team squad, while Xavi Simons remains sidelined with injury.
|
De Zerbi – Goalscorers at Spurs |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
|
Richarlison |
2 |
|
Palhinha |
2 |
|
Tel |
1 |
|
Porro |
1 |
|
Gallagher |
1 |
|
Danso |
1 |
|
Solanke |
1 |
|
Simons |
1 |
|
Savio |
1 |
|
Davies |
1 |
Hopefully, the new additions like Omar Marmoush and Savio can crank things up in the coming weeks, although on the evidence of the club’s recent marquee signings, don’t be holding out too much hope.
Why costly Spurs star is in danger of becoming another Richarlison
There was an acceptance that De Zerbi simply just needed to do enough to get Tottenham over the line last season, having been parachuted in to save the day following Igor Tudor’s dire interim reign.
The Italian has since been given full control and seemingly free rein in the transfer market, alongside the added bonus of a full pre-season, yet the start to the campaign hasn’t been what anyone at N17 would have wished for.
Maybe he simply needs time to bed in a raft of new additions, but there remain question marks over key positions, be it the left wing or centre-forward berth.
Richarlison has been shunned, while Marmoush, by his own admission, appears at his best behind a central striker, the Egyptian not the long-term solution then at the spearhead of the attack.
“I’ve also played right wing, so I can play all positions, but I feel most comfortable behind the striker in the No.10 where the way to goal is quicker – or shorter I should say – so I’m comfortable in all positions.” Marmoush after joining Manchester City.
The issue is that Dominic Solanke, a man who scored just three league goals last season, just can’t be relied upon, with it somewhat telling that the Englishman hasn’t started any of the first three games of the new campaign.
Of course, his game time needs to be managed after another disrupted pre-season, but now in his third year at the club, at what point will Spurs start seeing a return on their investment?
Like in the case of Richarlison, the Lilywhites, then led by Daniel Levy, splashed out a hefty sum to bring Solanke to north London two years ago, forking out a then club-record fee of £65m.
The now 28-year-old had scored 19 Premier League goals the year prior for Bournemouth, although his best return in the division prior to that was just six goals.
Even Richarlison had shown more than that at Everton and Watford, hitting double figures in three separate top-flight seasons before joining the club.
Like Richarlison, Solanke has had his moments in a Tottenham shirt, not least his brace against Manchester City last term, yet 12 league goals in two full seasons simply isn’t up to scratch for a player of his expense.
For context, he is the eighth-highest-paid player at the club on £140k-per-week, or roughly £7m-per-year, ensuring he’s cost the club over £14m in wages to date.
Combine that with the £65m price tag, and that’s £79m in total cost, a figure Solanke’s form and fitness woes just don’t justify.
Having also dished out a similar figure of roughly £78m on Richarlison to date, the succession planning surrounding the exit of Kane couldn’t have gone much worse as far as Spurs are concerned.
Hopefully, in Marmoush, brighter days can lie ahead.
