Thomas Frank has outlined his plan to keep Richarlison fit after the forward's brace in Tottenham's 3-0 win over Burnley.
Tottenham beat Burnley 3-0 Richarlison bags brace Frank reveals plan to keep him fit Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After impressing in Tottenham's agonising UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, the Brazilian scored twice, the second of which was a superb bicycle kick, as Spurs began their Premier League campaign in style on Saturday. The former Everton man missed the vast majority of last season through various injuries, and now head coach Frank has revealed he wants to slowly build up Richarlison's game time as the season progresses.
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He told reporters: "He was very good against PSG and today he was exceptional, with his work-rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating and then the two finishes. So happy on his behalf and again performance department, medical department did a top job to build him. I think a few of you know he was not involved in the first friendly because we had to build him. That will be continuous and something we need to look at throughout the season. It is only the second game of the season, there is a long way to go but very positive with him."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Richarlison missed a whopping 37 games through various hamstring, groin, and calf injuries last season, but this goalscoring performance shows he can still deliver for Tottenham. The 28-year-old has taken his chance while fellow forward Dominic Solanke tries to get back to full fitness. And the Brazil international could keep the ex-Bournemouth star out of the starting lineup if he builds on this strong start.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
Former Brentford boss Frank will hope Richarlison is fit and firing next weekend when they travel to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who dispatched Wolves 4-0 in their Premier League opener on Saturday.