An under-21 side in a senior cup. I’m not criticising. I’m comparing.
The fact is simple. Tottenham sent their under-21s to Cheltenham Town, in League Two, for an EFL Trophy match. With them, Richarlison. He is 29. He is a Brazil international. He has been left out of the first team and he is not in the 25-man Premier League squad list. His only appearance for Tottenham this season was a 3-0 defeat at Brentford, in August. According to the BBC, transfers to Everton and Vasco da Gama fell through this summer.
I read this at the chip shop. Monday, as always.
George Miller put Cheltenham ahead. Richarlison equalised, first time, from a cross from the right. A first-time finish. That, at least, hasn’t changed. Miracle Adewole put Tottenham back in front. Then Miller, late in stoppage time. Penalties.
In 1980, the reserves played on Saturday mornings, among themselves, in front of three parents and the groundsman’s dog. Nobody invited them into a cup. We did not mix things up. A man of 29 played in the first team, or he played elsewhere, or he sat on the bench in his overcoat. Today there is a list of 25. And a competition for those who are not on it.
Note that I’m not against progress. I’m against this progress.
He scored, Marcel. A goal is a goal. Historic, almost.
He scored, yes. The goal was good. I noted it in the margin of my weekly. Well. It’s the times.
It’s true, we checked: BBC Sport.
