World Cup winner Rivaldo has defended Tottenham forward Richarlison for his debut season at the club. The Brazilian has failed to score a single Premier League goal for the north Londoners since sealing a £60million move from Everton in the summer.
Richarlison has only scored two goals for Antonio Conte's this season, coming in his Champions League debut against Marseille back in September. Starts have been hard to come by for the forward with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski preferred by Conte.
Injuries have also played a part in his opening campaign as a Spurs player, leaving the Brazilian frustrated. Following the club's Champions League exit at the hands of AC Milan, Richarlison questioned Conte's decision to bench him after claiming he was told he would start.
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Richarlison returned to the starting line-up against Nottingham Forest after the Milan defeat. He was unfortunate to have his first league goal chalked off for offside but he did grab his first assist since the north London derby defeat to Arsenal in October.
Despite his difficult season, Richarlison has been backed to come good at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by Brazilian icon Rivaldo. "This has been a very difficult season for Richarlison who moved to a bigger team in England but could not impose himself immediately because of injuries, and some less positive performances than expected," he told Betfair.
"However, he had a World Cup year where he did very well, scoring several goals, but then he came back injured has been taking his time to regain his best form.
"His venting after the Champions League exit is perfectly acceptable as a player of great quality who knows he can give more on the pitch and the truth is, that it seems to have done him good.
"While the draw against Southampton would have been disappointing, against Forest, he had a good performance providing an assist for a goal and I am confident that he can finish the season in good form, coming out well placed to have a much more consistent campaign next season."
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