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Johnson or Richarlison: Who should Ange start versus Chelsea?

By Jameson Scarsella

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Brennan Johnson, Emerson Royal and Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate after Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur scores their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Brennan Johnson, Emerson Royal and Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate after Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur scores their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham’s win at Crystal Palace wasn’t the prettiest, but Ange Postecoglou’s side battled hard to secure another three points in a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park. An own goal from Joel Ward thanks to James Maddison’s cross into the box opened the scoring, then Heung-min Son doubled the lead after a wonderful build-up and assist from Brennan Johnson. Jordan Ayew pulled one back for Palace in injury time.

Johnson instantly made an impact in the game when he replaced Richarlison at the 64th-minute mark. Two minutes later, he set up Son’s lethal finish in the box. Richarlison, on the other hand, endured a pretty forgettable night. He looked lively in the first half with some good link-up play, but his finishing ability was once again absent. Despite one long-range effort just trickling wide of the Palace goal, his only other shot went well over the bar. Football.London‘s Rob Guest summed up both players’ nights in his rankings.

Heading into the match against Chelsea, Ange Postecoglou now has a decision to make: stick with Richarlison or give Johnson another start.

With Son pretty much the full-time striker at this point in Tottenham’s season, Richarlison’s move to the wing has benefited both him and the team. He picked up three assists and a goal since he admitted he needed mental health support, but has also been sloppy in possession at times. The player still has yet to score a goal with his feet for Tottenham. Fans have given him praise for grabbing these contributions, but also want to see more of the Brazilian’s goalscoring.

It is arguable that Johnson has not done enough to take Richarlison out of the starting lineup yet, but his decision-making against Palace made a massive difference in the second half. The headed pass to James Maddison in the build-up to Tottenham’s second goal gave the Welshman room to sneak into the box and find space for his cross. He also should’ve had a goal after winning a header at the far post late in the match, but it was mishit and passed into the Palace defense. On a night when Richarlison was not amusing Postecoglou with some of his decisions, you have to wonder if there aren’t some considerations being made in training this week.

Tottenham host Chelsea on November 6th, and we may see changes in the starting XI if Postecoglou is so inclined. Johnson started away at Arsenal, but injuries sidelined him until the match against Fulham.

Neither player has been putting up elite numbers, and both have their flaws, but if both Johnson and Richarlison are producing, it may allow for better rotation between the two. It will be interesting to see the starting XI come matchday, and whether Johnson has been given the nod over the Brazilian.

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