Paul Robinson believes his old club Tottenham have made a real “statement” with the big-money signing of Richarlison from Everton.
Spurs announced the £60m signing of the Brazilian forward on Friday, with £50m paid up front and a further £10m in add-ons for the player who scored 11 goals and added five assists in all competitions last season.
Richarlison will now compete with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Moura for a starting role under Antonio Conte.
And Robinson insists Tottenham’s attack is now a match for Liverpool’s free-scoring front line.
He told Football Insider: “It’s a massive statement. It’s a statement that says, “We’re a big club and we’re going to fight for trophies.” The signings the manager has been allowed to make are great.
“Richarlison signs a statement. Nobody wants to play second fiddle to Harry Kane. Now they have a world-class striker who can play from the back.
“It’s a team game more than ever. Look at Liverpool with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunes. The Spurs now have similar depth.
“All three of Tottenham’s forwards form a formidable front three. The manager has some brilliant options.
“Richarlison is a top player and he is only 25. He scored some very important goals for Everton last season.
“Signing from Spurs is a huge statement. This is the biggest signing under Conte.”
Good selection problem for Conte
Richarlison’s biggest problem now is trying to force his way into Conte’s attacking setup.
The former Everton man is at his best playing through the middle and is not as effective out wide. So, unless Conte changes his formation, it’s hard to see how he will start games under the Italian.
There is no way Son will be out and now a lot depends on whether Kulusevki can start the new campaign the way he ended the last one.
The Swede helped Tottenham finish fourth in the table, scoring goals and assisting since his loan move from Juventus.
Richarlison can, as Kane also showed, play a deeper role. But that’s not the position Spurs bought him in, so perhaps Conte has some kind of master plan to fit all his attacking talent into one team.
Pre-season is likely to confirm Conte’s plans, with Tottenham facing Southampton at home in the Premier League opener on August 6.
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