Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is a huge fan of Tottenham Hotspur star Richarlison. Ancelotti managed the Brazilian international during their time together at Everton before the former left for the Bernabeu Stadium a few years back.
Since then, Richarlison left the Toffees for Spurs, signing for a fee in the region of £60million a little over 12 months ago. But the 26-year-old has struggled to live up to his price tag, netting one goal in the Premier League last season.
With star striker Harry Kane leaving for Bayern Munich this summer, Richarlison is expected to be given a more prominent role for the north Londoners this term and he took full advantage at the weekend, scoring the equaliser during Saturday's 2-1 victory over Sheffield United. Now, ex-England international Ferdinand has claimed he spoke to Ancelotti, with the Italian predicting the talented frontman to go on to play at the very top level.
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"I like him as a player,” the United hero told Vibe with Five when asked about Richarlison. "I remember speaking to Carlo Ancelotti about him when he had him at Everton.
“He said ‘this kid will play for a top, top-tier team’. He will go to a Champions League team and he will be ‘one of the best players around because he is that good’.
“Harry Kane going, he could be the biggest benefactor of it, as a number nine at that club. He should be. He has to give himself a good chance.
"I think this manager will stand by him, for a period of time and give him the time and patience. I think he brings so much more than just goals. He is a nuisance to play against.
"I think he will be hard to play against in that sense. He is always on your shoulder. He doesn’t mind a little bit of physicality. He’s cute in and around the box.
"He’s got good feet. Good awareness. And he will always get chances – I think, in the long run, I will bet for him doing well at Spurs.”