Minutes in a Tottenham shirt are set to continue to elude Richarlison as the Brazilian picked up a hamstring injury in Brazil’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The striker, who was signed from Everton in the summer, missed four games through a calf injury before the break for the 2022 tournament, and suffered yet another issue while on international duty as he played 84 minutes with a hamstring injury for the Selecao.
London, UK. 07 September 2022. Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison during the UEFA Champion League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Britain, 07 September 2022. Credit: Action Foto Sport/Alamy Live Ne 2JY03KP London, UK. 07 September 2022. Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison during the UEFA Champion League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Britain, 07 September 2022. Credit: Action Foto Sport/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
And, as per Football.London, said injury is expected to keep him sidelined for between five and six weeks, meaning that he will likely not be available for selection until the last week of January at the earliest, and potentially not until February.
It means that the Brazilian will miss the resumption of the Premier League on Boxing Day, when the Lilywhites head across London to take on Brentford. He will also be absent for Premier League clashes with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Manchester City and Fulham, as well as Tottenham’s FA Cup third round tie with Portsmouth.
Tottenham will also be without influential midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur on Boxing Day, with the Uruguayan suspended. He picked up a minor injury on international duty, but is expected back for the beginning of 2023.
Richarlison’s injury will leave increased burden on Harry Kane, who Antonio Conte admitted was feeling ‘really, really tired’ before the World Cup and who played in all five of England’s World Cup games. It is unlikely that he will be afforded a rest, while Heung-Min Son will also be handed the same fate.