Former Aston Villa striker and pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has doubted whether or not Tottenham supervisor Thomas Frank can actually depend on one Spurs star this season.
Tottenham battle to 2-1 victory at Leeds United
On a wet afternoon in Yorkshire, Frank’s aspect battled to a 2-1 win at Leeds United within the early kick-off, changing into the primary workforce to beat Daniel Farke’s aspect at Elland Highway within the league for over a 12 months.
The match started with Leeds on the entrance foot, however it was Tottenham who opened the scoring halfway via the primary half. Mathys Tel broke the impasse, his shot taking a deflection on its well beyond the Leeds goalkeeper after being arrange by man of the match Mohammed Kudus.
Leeds United 1-2 Tottenham – finest gamers | Match Score |
|---|---|
Mohammed Kudus | 8.4 |
Mathys Tel | 7.8 |
Noah Okafor | 7.0 |
Sean Longstaff | 7.0 |
Jayden Bogle | 6.8 |
by way of WhoScored | |
The house aspect responded properly — grabbing an equalizer earlier than the break via Noah Okafor — and supporters would’ve been forgiven for pondering Tottenham might properly capitulate.
After half-time, each groups pressed for a winner in a vigorous contest, however the decisive second arrived within the sixty fourth minute when Kudus capped off a powerful show by chopping inside and firing a low shot that deflected off a Pascal Struijk and into the web.
Leeds pushed for one more equalizer, however Spurs’ protection held agency, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made essential second-half saves.
Earlier than what was a hard-fought contest, the place the Leeds trustworthy had been in full voice and Spurs made to work laborious for his or her win, Frank axed struggling striker Richarlison in favour of Tel.
His choice was justly rewarded by the Frenchman’s opening objective, and whereas Richarlison did exchange Tel late within the second half, he as soon as once more didn’t make an influence when Frank’s aspect had been underneath the cosh.
Gabriel Agbonlahor says Thomas Frank ought to be nervous about Richarlison
The Brazil worldwide began 2025/2026 in nice kind, scoring a brace towards Burnley, which included a shocking bicycle kick in what was an early objective of the season contender.
He additionally notched an help throughout Tottenham’s excellent 2-0 win away to Man Metropolis, however aside from a tap-in towards Brighton thereafter, Richarlison has largely struggled to make a critical influence rather than Dominic Solanke.
Whereas Spurs hope that Solanke will return quickly after the worldwide break, following the Englishman’s minor ankle surgical procedure, Frank has simply Tel and Richarlison to select from within the quantity 9 function.
Tel’s strike towards Leeds this afternoon was maybe the start of the tip of Richarlison’s run within the beginning eleven, and Agbonlahor stated earlier this week that Tottenham can’t depend on the 28-year-old who value £60 million to signal from Everton in 2022.
“Richarlison for me, massive cash, £60 million he value. He began the season on hearth, two objectives towards Burnley, then scored a tap-in towards Brighton,” Agbonlahor instructed talkSPORT.
“Then you definitely’re like, this may very well be the season Richarlison kicks on and turns into the principle man, however the identical factor occurs season after season with Richarlison.
“He can have a few good video games, he’ll have three or 4 video games the place he’ll give completely zero, and if he’s main your line, with Solanke’s harm issues, that’s a scare for me for Spurs.”
The previous Toffees star, regardless of flashes of true brilliance at occasions, has largely didn’t justify his price ticket — with Richarlison additionally struggling prolonged harm lay-offs throughout Ange Postecoglou’s ultimate marketing campaign in cost.
His contract expires in 2027, and a few experiences recommend that Richarlison might be a part of Crystal Palace for round £20-25 million subsequent 12 months.
CEO Vinai Venkatesham and the Lilywhites hierarchy have a key choice to make on the attacker’s future, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see whether or not suitors might come ahead in January.
