Richarlison has proved the difference maker from the substitutes' bench on more than one occasions already for Tottenham this season. The Brazilian was a £60million summer signing from Everton and is already beginning to repay that big fee.
Many pundits were left questioning the outlay on a player that might struggle to get into Tottenham's starting lineup, given last season's form of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski. And while Richarlison has not yet been given a start by Antonio Conte, he has proved to be money well spent, changing the game against Chelsea as Spurs recovered from 2-1 down to snatch a late draw and setting up Harry Kane for the second goal in the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Brazilian flair player will be champing at the bit to get his first start in the Lilywhites' shirt, and that opportunity may come sooner rather than later. Premier League games are coming thick and fast and they will be interspersed with Champions League matches, with that competition to start next week too.
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Conte has already admitted that he will rotate his squad with too many games for every player to be starting. And Richarlison may just have earned the right to start against West Ham on Wednesday night.
Conte was asked about his Brazilian frontman during his pre-match press conference for the game against West Ham. He said: "Every time he's playing, for 20 to 30 minutes, he's playing very well. For sure in the next games you will see him in the starting XI.
"I think about Richy we are really happy. We are talking about a player who can help us a lot, we are talking about a player who is really good addition especially up front. In the past at Tottenham didn't have player of this level behind Harry, behind Sonny. Now we have a really good player and in the best moment in career to stay at Tottenham and show his talent."
Conte did, however, stop short of confirming Richarlison would start against the Hammers. He added: "No I didn't say this. I said probably in the future you can see in the starting XI Richarlison. Then if the game against West Ham, Fulham or Marseille. Then I have to decide."
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