The ability -when we are going forward/playing on the front foot- to get into those spaces and nick goals. He scores ugly goals. He is unafraid to be a brickhouse. He is unafraid to go toe-to-toe. We need that. So in short, character and goals. Because he does score them y' know...
I think he comes across as a decent human being but as a striker I think he is simply not good enough now.
No amount of pressing and chasing lost causes can hide the fact that he is a liability when it comes to basic hold-up play. As a modern target man or focal point, your primary job against a tough defense is to be the anchor. You need to pin the center-backs, shield the ball, and give the rest of the team time to breathe and push up the pitch.
Instead, whenever the ball is played into his feet, it feels like a total coin toss, and more often than not, it just bounces straight back to the opponent. His first touch is far too heavy for this level, and under any real physical pressure, he either gets pushed off the ball effortlessly or ends up flopping to the turf looking for a soft foul that the ref never gives. When he goes down, we're left totally exposed on the counter with our midfielders out of position.
Against low blocks or aggressive pressing teams, a top-tier striker makes the ball stick. Richarlison simply can't do it. His inability to lay off simple one-touch passes or shield it in tight spaces kills our attacking momentum before it even starts. It turns promising build-up play into a series of turnover drills, forcing us to constantly defend instead of building pressure. You just can't run a fluid, dominant front line when your central striker is a complete black hole in possession.
Sure, he is good in the air and scores scrappy goals, but he does not score enough goals, and outside the box he is poor.
Not trying to the tinkle but what is it you see from him on the pitch that you wouls miss?
