Tottenham are struggling for goals, Dominic Solanke is short of form and confidence, and neither Omar Marmoush nor Mathys Tel is a natural solution through the middle.

Yet Spurs have a proven centre-forward sitting on the sidelines who has barely been given an opportunity this season.

It is time for Roberto De Zerbi to bring Richarlison back into the picture.

The statistic is startling. Richarlison has played just 68 minutes of Premier League football in 2026/27, all of them in the opening-day defeat at Brentford. He has not featured in the league since. For a club searching for answers up front, that is a curious situation.

There was plenty of talk around the Brazilian on transfer deadline day, including links with a return to Everton, but he ultimately stayed at Tottenham.

Since then, he has found himself on the fringes of De Zerbi’s plans, with his social media activity adding to the sense of frustration around his situation.

Whatever has happened behind the scenes, Spurs need to focus on what gives them the best chance of getting results.

Solanke is not producing the performances expected of him at present, while Marmoush and Tel are arguably more effective operating from wider positions than leading the line as a central striker.

Richarlison is not a perfect answer, and his own form has been inconsistent during his time in north London.

But he is an experienced striker who offers movement, aggression and a willingness to attack the penalty area. At the very least, he deserves the chance to show whether he can make a difference.

With the January transfer window still some way off, De Zerbi should not overlook an option already at his disposal. Tottenham’s best striking option might just be the one they have left out in the cold.