Richarlison was adamant that he would remain at Tottenham this summer. After three injury-disrupted years, the Brazillian still felt he had something to prove in north London.
Dominic Solanke's ankle injury prised open the opportunity he pleaded for after resisting the temptations of Saudi cash. Thomas Frank may have been open to the possibility of selling him, but Solanke's absence meant he could only pivot to the former Goodison Park hero.
A poor display in a friendly at Bayern Munich did little to inspire hope, but Richarlison then surprised many with the level of his performance in the UEFA Super Cup. He played a pivotal role in Spurs establishing a 2-0 lead, and his withdrawal contributed to our late collapse.
Nevertheless, that stellar display was followed up with a brace on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. After that, many were quick to claim that Richarlison was perhaps the "ideal striker for Thomas Frank." Against PSG and Burnley, the Brazilian was able to reliably function as Spurs' focal point.
Since then, however, Richarlison has reverted to an iteration that Spurs supporters had become frustratingly familiar with, and I don't mean injured.
Thomas Frank should turn to Randal Kolo Muani as starting No. 9
The impish Brazilian has an impressive nose for goal, there's no denying that, but what happens when the goals dry up? His technical unreliability means he rarely serves a purpose. Richarliison is without a goal in his last eight games for club and country. Supporters are longing for Solanke.
His dip came to a head on Wednesday night, when the Spurs striker was constantly out-duelled by former Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu. Richarlison won a third of his aerial duels and half of his ground duels, according to FotMob. If he ever made first contact with pressure behind him, a flailing limb often ensured possession wasn't retained.
Thomas Frank's team are suffering right now, and the absence of a reliable centre-forward who can hold the ball up is one of Spurs' issues. Richarlison has offered very little for weeks. He doesn't stretch the pitch enough, nor can he efficiently operate as the facilitator Frank needs in order for his 4-2-4 possession shape to be successful.
Richarlison the touch of a brick wall man
— Kish (@Kish_P14) October 22, 2025
Solanke's return will be significant, but what can the Dane do in the meantime? Richarlison can't continue to be the man relied upon, while Mathys Tel is a sharpshooter with plenty to learn.
Fortunately, Spurs added Randal Kolo Muani to their ranks on Deadline Day. The start of the Frenchman's loan has been disrupted by a lack of fitness and a dead leg, but he's showing signs of creeping up to a level where he's ready to make an impact.
His cameo on Wednesday offered genuine promise, primarily because he was able to retain possession under pressure and bring others into play. Our best chance of the second-half, after Richarlison delayed too long with the most promising opening of the first, came as a result of some excellent centre-forward play from Kolo Muani to release Pape Matar Sarr down the left.
Perhaps Kolo Muani's cameo appeared more promising because Richarlison had set such a low bar, but, for me, it's evident that the Frenchman can offer Frank's team so much more in attack.
Not only is he superior technically to his Brazilian counterpart, but he's also far more willing to run in behind. Spurs need runners to provide space for playmakers, and Xavi Simons is someone who should benefit from Kolo Muani's presence.
Richy's qualities in the box mean he shouldn't be completely discarded, but Kolo Muani's profile renders him a better fit for the centre-forward position while Solanke remains out. Start him on Sunday!