The Richarlison attitude story: Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill praised the Tottenham forward’s approach after he appeared for Spurs’ Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.
The assessment is reported by the Press Association in the Guardian, quoting Cotterill’s comments to Gloucestershire Live. The Cheltenham manager said the Brazilian’s approach gave his players a valuable experience.
Richarlison attitude praised by opposition manager
Cotterill said Cheltenham had not expected to see Richarlison on the team sheet. Rather than view his presence as an unwelcome complication, he welcomed the chance for his players to face someone with that experience.
“Richarlison’s attitude was immaculate tonight.”
In the comments carried by PA, Cotterill said the forward could have approached the academy fixture without much interest. Instead, he praised how Richarlison applied himself and the example that gave the home players.
It was a personal assessment of the Richarlison attitude from the opposing manager, separate from the result of the match.
A first competitive Spurs appearance at this level
Tottenham’s official report says Richarlison had not previously played a competitive Under-21 match for the club. He had, however, attended the academy side’s game at Arsenal in 2023 to watch fellow Brazilian Lucas Moura.
This time he was involved on the pitch, scoring with a first-time finish from James Rowswell’s cross. The academy players joined him in his familiar pigeon celebration, according to PA.
The Richarlison attitude held in the shootout too: he converted his kick. The match finished 2-2 before Cheltenham won the penalties 7-6.
Richarlison attitude story is not senior team news
The appearance gave Richarlison an opportunity to play competitive football and make an impression on opponents. The Richarlison attitude praise concerns what Cotterill saw during that game.
It does not announce a change to Tottenham’s senior squad plans or establish availability for a Premier League fixture. No such selection update is contained in the academy match report.
Read our Cheltenham Spurs U21 match report for the full result. Cotterill’s comments are carried in the Guardian’s PA report, while the appearance details are confirmed by Tottenham’s official report.
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