Ryan Mason defends Richarlison from mockers

 

Ryan Mason has defended Richarlison after the £60m Tottenham striker was mocked by Premier League strikers Michail Antonio and Callum Wilson.

Newcastle hitman Wilson and West Ham star Antonio slammed Richarlison for his wild, shirtless celebration after scoring a last-minute equalizer at Liverpool last month – only Diego Jota netted the winner for the Reds moments later later.

“He has scored four times this season,” said Antonio The Footballer’s Football Podcast. ‘Three times he was offside [and] he’s taken his top off four times this season.

“He’s got four yellows – he’s almost suspended,” Wilson added on the footballer’s football podcast, before the pair broke down into laughter.

While the pair joked at their expense, Richarlison was actually only booked once for taking off his shirt to celebrate this season.

Richarlison took off his shirt after scoring late at Anfield and was shown a yellow card

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The Brazilian cost Spurs £60m from Everton last summer but his stoppage-time header at Anfield was his first league goal for the club after his effort was dismissed for offside against Fulham and Nottingham Forest.

Mason admitted Richarlison has struggled “for pace” this season but backed him to be good next season.

He said: ‘Maybe he heard it, maybe he saw it, maybe it will give him a little more. I’m not sure about that

“We all try to do our best, we are all professionals, we work hard, we dedicate our lives to reaching this level and competing at this level.

‘I don’t really like that kind of thing [Antonio and Wilson mocking Richarlison]personally.

“From a player’s perspective, I was signed for a club as a record holder, so I know the feeling you really want to give back.

“One thing I will say about Richy is that he always comes and he has the energy to try. He’s a fighter, he works hard, he trains hard.

Spurs host Brentford on Saturday and end the season at Leeds on May 28.