Tottenham must start Richarlison over Dominic Solanke to close the season | OneFootball

It has been a whirlwind of a 2024/25 season for Tottenham, who have gone from contending to the Champions League to ranking 16th in the Premier League. And yet, Spurs may actually have a better shot at qualifying for the Champions League this season than they did last season, because all they have to do is beat underdogs Bodo Glimt and then either Athletic Club or fellow Premier League stragglers Manchester United to win the Europa League. OK, that might be a tough task, especially if they have to face Athletic in the Final, but it's a doable task for Spurs.

In addition to having a lot to play for in the Europa League, Tottenham still have loose ends to tie up in the final five games of the 2024/25 Premier League season. There is more than just pride to play for, as these games will tell the decision-makers in North London who belongs in the future and who should go.

In the last game against Nottingham Forest, Richarlison came up big, scoring one header after nearly scoring a headed goal earlier to salvage something out of an otherwise putrid home game. Tottenham supporters were literally raining down boos on the players at the half, so Richarlison's goal was an important silver lining for both the team and himself personally.

Richarlison is waking up in front of goal

Since coming over from Everton, Richarlison's Tottenham career has been a disaster, largely due to injuries. But with four goals in his last five Premier League appearances, Pombo is quietly showing the difference-making quality and eye for goal that made him such a hero for the Toffees over the years.

Tottenham pretty much know that current starting striker Dominic Solanke isn't the answer. He is a high-profile waste of money and the kind of profile Tottenham don't need up top. They already have a bevy of quality, young creators who can win off the dribble, get open off the ball, and provide assists. What they need is someone who can fluidly work with them but also have the instincts to bag around 20 goals in a season. Solanke isn't that guy.

But maybe Richarlison is. Chances are, Tottenham are going to have to pluck a young striker on the transfer market, such as recent opponent Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt, but the best options, Ekitike included, are going to be high-competition targets. Tottenham could end up empty-handed or signing someone who isn't ready to start every game, which is why it's important for them know how much they can expect from Richarlison.

Beyond that, Richarlison has earned the minutes. He has outplayed Solanke lately and, again, shown a much better eye for goal than the club's main starting striker this season. Richarlison has a more established goal-scoring record in the Premier League, because putting 10 per season in the bag as an Everton player is worth 20 at most other clubs. Right now, he's a better option for Tottenham than Solanke, and while nobody can say for sure that he is the right man at the 9 for Spurs next season, he seems to fit what the club needs more than the ex-Bournemouth man.