Former Aston Villa striker Pandit Gabriel Agbonlahore doubts whether Tottenham manager Thomas Frank can really rely on the Spurs star this season.
Tottenham won 2-1 at Leeds United
On a rainy afternoon in Yorkshire, Frank’s team won an early kickoff and became the first team to beat Daniel Fark’s side at Elland Road in the league with an early kickoff.
The match began with front foot Leeds, but it was Tottenham who scored goals midway through the first half. Mattis Tell defeated the deadlock and his shot was set by Man of the Match Mohamed Kudus before robbing the deflection on his way past the Leeds goalkeeper.
Leeds United 1-2 Tottenham – Best player | Matched ratings |
|---|---|
Mohamed Kudus | 8.4 |
MATHYS TEL | 7.8 |
Noah Okafor | 7.0 |
Shawn Longstaff | 7.0 |
Jayden Bogle | 6.8 |
via whoscore | |
The home side responded well – grabbing the equalizer before breaking Noah Okafor – and the supporters would have been allowed to think that Tottenham might be poured down quite a bit.
After halftime, both teams won the winners in a lively contest, but in the 64th minute, they arrived at the 64th minute, when Kudos rounded out the powerful display by firing a low shot deflected from Paskar Stroeek into the net.
Leeds wanted another equalizer, but the Spurs’ defense was held firmly, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Viario making a significant second half save.
Before the Leeds followers were fully raised and the fierce fighting contest was made to make the Spurs work hard for their victory, Frank supported Tel and supported struggling striker Richarrison.
His decision was justly rewarded by the French opening goal, and Richarrison replaced TEL in the second half, but he was unable to make an impact again when Frank’s side was under COSH.
Gabriel Agbonlahore says Thomas Frank should worry about Richarrison
Brazil International successfully launched 2025/2026 and won a brace against Burnley.
He also scored an assist during Tottenham’s excellent 2-0 win over Man City, but with the exception of a subsequent tap-in with Brighton, Richard Lison has largely struggled to make a serious impact on Dominique Solanke’s replacement.
Spurs hopes Solanke will return shortly after the international break following the British minor ankle surgery, but Frank only chooses Tel and Richarlison from the No. 9 role.
Tel’s strike against Leeds this afternoon was probably the beginning of the end of Richarison’s run at the starting eleven, with Agbon Lahore saying earlier this week that he could not rely on the 28-year-old, which cost Tottenham £60 million to sign from Everton in 2022.
“Richarisson, for me, it costs a lot of money, £60 million. He started the season, scored two goals against Burnley, then a tap-in with Brighton,” Agbon Lahore told Talksport.
“Then this could be the season when Richarison kicks and becomes the main man, but the same thing happens after the season with Richarison.
“He has some good games. He gives absolutely zeros in three or four games. If he’s leading your line, it’s a Solanke injury issue, which is scary for me for the Spurs.”
The former Toffee star has almost failed to justify his price tag despite sometimes true flashes of glow. Richarrison also suffers from a long injury layoff during the final campaign for Ange Post Ecoglow.
His contract expired in 2027, and several reports suggest that Richarrison will be able to join Crystal Palace for around £20 million next year.
CEOs Vinai Venkatesham and Lilywhites Hierarchy have made key decisions to carry out the attacker’s future, and it will be interesting to see if the suitor can move forward in January.