Sport
Talking about Richardlison, Gomes and Sandro
Richarlison is in a rich vein of form with six goals in his last six starts in the Premier League.
Everyone around the popular Brazil international has said the same thing – since surgery on a troublesome groin issue at the start of November, he’s looked back to his old self – the striker who led the Seleção’s forward line with 10 goals in 10 caps in 2022, including a FIFA Puskas Award contender for his volley against Serbia at the World Cup.
So, where do our Brazil legends see him at the moment? That’s exactly what we asked Sandro ‘The Beast’ Raniere (17 caps for Brazil, 2009-2012; 105 appearances for us, 2010-2014) and Heurelho Gomes (11 caps for Brazil 2003-2010; 135 appearances for us, 2008-2014) this week. Sandro is a fan and regular at Spurs anyway, while Gomes knows Richy as well as anyone, and was described as a ‘father figure’ to him when he first arrived in the Premier League at Watford in 2017, where Gomes played for six years before retiring.
What are you seeing from Richy at the moment?
Gomes: “It’s exactly what I said before, Spurs are going to see a great player, Spurs have signed a great player. Unfortunately, things didn’t work as well from the beginning, he was having some tough times, and he needs to be happy to perform. He enjoys football, he gives his all, but things weren’t working for him. Don’t forget, he was injured as well, but he just wanted to play well. Eventually, he had the operation, and now he’s the player everyone expected.”
Sandro: “I’m so happy for him. I always said to everyone, ‘guys, he will come back strong’. He just needed to be happy again. You could tell he was frustrated. I could see that… we could all see he wasn’t right. As a Brazilian, I always dream for Spurs to have Brazilian players representing us. I’m so happy for him. He’s a great guy, we’re not friends, as such, but I always speak to him when I see him and just want to see him do well.”
What signs tell you he’s hitting his best again?
Sandro: “He has the spirit, the way he goes to the ball, the way he fights for the team. When I see him, fighting, pressing, shooting, scoring, then you see he’s on fire. Before, he wasn’t fully fit. Now, he’s fit and starting to score. I believe in him, now it’s for him to enjoy his time. He deserves this moment. Now, I hope he just scores more and more.”
Gomes: “His movement is key. He’s now moving freely. You could tell in his first game back after his surgery. From that day one, I said, ‘he’s going to start to perform now’. You could tell the injury was holding him back. He was protecting himself. Now, the things you can see on the pitch, he’s going to deliver. He’s a top player and you can see in the goals he’s scoring, he’s there in the right place, tap-ins, headers. He likes that type of game, between the defenders, looking for the space in the box. I’m very pleased for him and the club, as well.”
How much more is to come?
Gomes: “He’s confident now. Sometimes, you question yourself. Now, and by the way, everyone loves him there. Even at the time when he wasn’t playing well, the fans wanted him to do well. They are right behind him. Even now, I don’t believe you’ve seen the best of him. We’re starting to see that player.”
Sandro: “Now we can expect to keep doing what he’s doing – he’s confident and he has the love of the supporters. I always talk with Spurs fans, they were worried about Richarlison, I said to them to believe in him, now, he needs to continue doing what he’s doing.”
What are people making of his form back home in Brazil?
Sandro: “In Brazil, the people were also frustrated before because he wasn’t scoring goals, and to be in the national team, he had to do that. Now, for sure, he will be back. The Brazilian fans, they love him as well. He did a lot for us in the World Cup. It’s time for Richarlison to come back and show the Brazil national team that he’s fit, he’s happy and ready to represent Brazil.”
Gomes: “He was out of the squad before the surgery. That was the right decision, because he wasn’t playing at that level. Don’t forget, he had a very good World Cup, and the people here, the young people, they love him, the way he behaves, he has such a big heart, someone who helps people here in Brazil. He’s unbelievable like that. I went to watch Brazil against Venezuela (in October). I watched from the stands. After, he came to us, and he stopped to sign every autograph. He stayed until he signed the last one. This is him, and people love him.”
What are your thoughts on the team at the moment?
Sandro: “I am a Spurs fan, as you know! I always try to be at the matches, always try to support Spurs. I’m confident. It’s a bit like Richarlison, I think Spurs will finish strongly this season. The team has suffered a lot with injuries, but players are coming back, we did well in the window and it’s exciting. We have an amazing manager… I want more!”
Gomes: “The way Spurs play, the team is not afraid to play high, and think, the team is still missing key players. Micky van de Ven is back, I think he’s an amazing player, still very young. Hopefully, he will be okay for the rest of the season. It’s all set up for an amazing end to the season.”
