richarlison is being put forward as the selection that could swing Tottenham’s survival fight after another damaging defeat; Igor Tudor remains without a Premier League victory and faces mounting pressure. Spurs fell 3-1 at home following a red card to Micky van de Ven, and critics argue selecting richarlison up front is an obvious move. The Anfield trip on 15 March (ET) looms as a must-have chance for Tudor to change course.
Why Tudor should pick Richarlison now
Tottenham’s recent form under Igor Tudor has left the manager searching for answers, and one concrete reason to start richarlison is his finishing. Gradient Sports calculated a shooting grade of 91. 2 for richarlison, placing his finishing above several elite Premier League forwards, a statistical edge that Tudor lacks elsewhere in his squad. The manager chose Randal Kolo Muani ahead of richarlison against Crystal Palace; that decision is now being questioned after Micky van de Ven’s red card compounded a fragile performance and a 3-1 defeat.
Beyond analytics, richarlison carries a reputation for performing in relegation fights from his time at Everton and has scored notable goals this season. In the same spell, he has recorded eight goals and three assists in 13 starts and 24 overall appearances, a direct contribution rate that supporters and commentators cite as valuable in tight matches. Even when his all-around play is debated, his finishing statistics provide a clear, measurable argument for starting him in high-stakes fixtures.
Immediate reactions and voices calling for change
John Wenham, who runs the Lilywhite Rose account on X, has urged Tudor to deploy richarlison more frequently as Tottenham head into the run-in. Wenham said: “I would have him starting with Solanke rather than Randal Kolo-Muani. He scored that goal at Fulham with the header, and he put himself round a bit, I still think it’s best for all parties if he leaves in the summer, but hopefully he can leave, having kept us in the division. That’s what his game’s all about [winding up rival players and fans], I would be utilising him as much as possible, especially against Liverpool. “
Club insiders and observers are likewise flagging richarlison’s ability to force errors and create chaos in the final third as a tactical asset Tudor can exploit, particularly in hostile venues where robustness and unpredictability can unlock results.
What’s next for Tottenham and Richarlison
All eyes turn to the trip to Anfield on 15 March (ET), where Tudor’s selection choices will be judged sharply. If Tudor opts to start richarlison, the decision will be framed as a bid to inject cutting edge and experience into a side that has struggled for points and momentum; if he persists with alternatives, pressure on the manager will only intensify. Expect immediate scrutiny of the starting XI at kick-off and rapid analysis of whether richarlison’s finishing grade and past clutch performances translate into points for a club flirting with danger.
