Kevin Campbell praises Richarlison for outshining Gabriel Jesus

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Kevin Campbell has praised Richarlison on The Highbury Squad for the way that the Tottenham Hotspur forward has taken his chance for Brazil while Gabriel Jesus has been going through a difficult patch in front of goal for Arsenal.

Richarlison stole the show in the opening round of World Cup matches. He scored twice to help Brazil to a 2-0 victory over Serbia.

The second goal will certainly go down in World Cup history. After trying to bring Vinicius Jr’s cross under control, Richarlison produced a stunning bicycle kick to find the bottom corner.

Campbell praises Richarlison as Spurs star keeps Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus out of Brazil side

It was a moment of magic from the Spurs star. And it ensured that he kept his place for Monday’s clash with Switzerland.

Of course, one of the players looking to rival Richarlison for a spot in the side is Jesus. And obviously, there is an interesting sub-plot there with the two forwards playing for North London rivals.

Jesus has been an amazing signing for the Gunners. And his arrival appears to have played a pivotal role in Mikel Arteta’s men elevating themselves to the top of the Premier League table.

However, Campbell has suggested that Richarlison has earned the right to lead the line for Selecao – though he noted that he is being outshone in the Premier League.

“The bottom line is Richarlison has been doing the business when they needed him,” he told The Highbury Squad.

“Gabriel Jesus has just been going through a difficult time in front of goal. Not his all round game, not his touch. When Richarlison came off, it was 0-0 today. Gabriel Jesus came on and they made some changes and looked a bit more fluid.

“They’re young men whose performances are going to go up and down. Now if you look at the league form of both of them, it’s chalk and cheese. Richarlison can’t even get in Spurs’ team a lot of the time. Yet it kind of flips over with the national team. Richarlison is the number nine. He gets a great poacher’s goal and then scores the best goal of the tournament so far.”

In fairness to Richarlison, he has not been given that chance up front for Tottenham. Obviously, Harry Kane is the first name on the team sheet.

So it remains to be seen if he can step up when that opportunity presents itself.

Jesus also has a right to feel hard done by that he is yet to start for Tite’s men. He has been colossal for Arsenal in almost every way.

But you cannot get away from the fact that the North London derby at the start of October – when Richarlison was lining up against him – was the last time Jesus found the back of the net.