‘It doesn’t surprise me’: Ian Wright says Ange Postecoglou has transformed Tottenham 26-year-old

Ian Wright has sung the plaudits of Richarlison after he scored again for Tottenham Hotspur during their 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday. 

The 26-year-old now has seven Premier League goals from 18 matches, including scoring six of those from his last seven matches.

Ian Wright told Premier League Productions on January 15, 24 at 2:40 pm, that the shift in form “doesn’t surprise” him since he now believes Richardson, as Tottenham’s primary number nine, can lead them to a top-four finish this season.

The former England striker believes that by delaying groin surgery last season, the Brazil international attempted to “please” Spurs and his own nation.

But now that everything has been resolved, he believes the forward, who resembles marmite, is beginning to play and reach his peak.

Ange Postecoglou can significantly raise Tottenham’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League if he can deploy a potent lineup, especially in the closing third.

And Ian Wright stuck his neck out on the line by saying Tottenham will ‘definitely’ make the top four because their forward line will ‘cause problems’.

Richarlison’s change in form

“You know the thing with Richarlison, you have got to remember the injury he put off and getting this operation with what he was meant to have on his groin,” said Wright.

“He did that for a long time because he was trying to please the club. He was trying to please the country.

“In the end, he realised and he did the interview where the manager got his arm around him and said ‘you have to have that operation’. And a manager who has managed him. Managed how he feels. Managed his emotions. He was talking about mental issues.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he has got the goals he has got now. He needed that. He needed someone to come in, put his arm around him and let him know ‘we care about you. Go and get it done when you are ready’.

“And now we are seeing, I think I said it on here, if they get those players fit and Richarlison is the nine, in that form, they are going to cause problems for teams and definitely make the top four.”

Richarlison stepping up for Tottenham

Some cynics may argue that Richarlison arrived as Harry Kane’s long-term replacement following his club-record transfer in 2022.

If it’s true, it wouldn’t come as a surprise because the England captain’s contract was about to expire and he did decide to join Bayern Munich.

Ultimately, you wouldn’t rule anything out for Daniel Levy because he would definitely take it on.

In any case, in the face of player absences and injuries, Richarlison is leading by example and excelling for his club.