Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Tonali starts in style, Nketiah shows he should start more and De Bruyne’s fitness is becoming a worry.

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023 - 14:10

Guardian

1) Richarlison heads Spurs misfits in need of renovation

Beyond bedding in four debutants at Brentford, a leading task for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham is to revive a number of players who were all but given up on by Antonio Conte. Richarlison, who scored just one Premier League goal in his first season at the club, has taken on Harry Kane’s role as striker with James Maddison the new playmaker. Few beyond Conte doubt Brazil’s first-choice No 9’s talent but renovation is required. “He’s got a lot of great attributes and he will always work hard for the team and that’s a good starting point for me,” Postecoglou said, while similarly enthusiastic about the midfield performance of Yves Bissouma, signed last year from Brighton and underused by Conte. Davinson Sánchez replaced the concussed Cristian Romero and looked a different player to the befuddled defender targeted by fans last season. The £100m received for Kane will allow reinvestment but Postecoglou inherited talent he is ready to make use of. John Brewin