Sandro issues Richarlison message to Spurs fans, explains how Harry Kane’s exit is a good thing and gives derby prediction

Ahead of Sunday’s north London derby, former Tottenham midfielder Sandro spoke exclusively to Ladbrokes about Ange Postecoglou, Richarlison and the departure of Harry Kane.

Click on the links for parts one and two in which he discussed Gareth Bale, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and his memories of Harry Redknapp.

How Postecoglou will get best out of Spurs’ bad boys

Ange Postecoglou just looks like a nice person, a really positive guy, like a dad, or something, to be honest! He’s clearly a guy who gives the players a lot of confidence and knows how to keep everyone happy inside the dressing room.

At this moment, things are going very well. But we’re in a transition period right now. This is a very important moment for Tottenham. I’m not going to say they’re going to fight for the title. A more realistic goal is to challenge for the Champions League. There’s been a lot of change this summer; a new coach, some new players have arrived, they’re trying to understand their new identity, so it would be crazy to say they could win the league. Qualifying for the Champions League would be an amazing achievement for the club this season, and then it’s about building from there.

The game on Saturday was just crazy – it was magical. I’m so happy for Richarlison, as well. For the team to win a game like that, you can just see they’re in a really positive place right now. It was so powerful to see the supporters celebrating like that. It was so unexpected, especially so late on. I was happy with the draw so late in the day, so to watch them go on and win it was a great, great feeling.

I think that the new manager is great for Richarlison. Everyone knows Richarlison is a passionate guy, and sometimes that does boil over a little too much and gets confused with aggression. To be honest, I like it, but I think Postecoglou is capable of controlling him, of reminding him to be careful. The manager can help him, for sure – and Cristian Romero, too. Both guys are very physical. I was this kind of player, too, who put a lot in. Sometimes it’s too much and you need to control that energy and aggression. But those guys are in a good place under this manager.

Richarlison is going to be a hit at Tottenham

I know Richarlison. Not very well, but I know him. Last season, I went to the training ground and to one of their Champions League matches where he gave me a shirt and some tickets for my friends. We speak, not all the time, but sometimes. He’s a nice guy. He’s a very passionate guy. You can see he always tries to give everything, and he has had some bad moments, but not everyone understands what’s going on with him.

But when he’s at his best, I can only see things going very well for him at Tottenham, because his style of play is just perfect for them. He shows passion, and that’s all I ever want from Tottenham players – to give everything, to be covering every inch of the pitch, winning the ball back, lifting each other. Richarlison has all of this. I’m 100% sure he’s going to do very good things with this club.

It’s completely normal for Tottenham’s forwards to feel pressure right now, because Harry Kane has just left the club. He’s one of the best strikers in the world who has given the club 20-30 goals a season for so many years now. This pressure is normal. But it will pass – the fans are completely behind the team. The most important thing is that the team are doing so well right now. We have to forget about Harry Kane now. He’s gone. Good luck to him, but he’s gone, so it’s about the current team.

It doesn’t matter who scores, what matters are the results. The team are winning, so let the boys free. Who cares if it’s Richarlison scorin, Son Heung-min or anyone…we are winning games, and that’s all that matters. Goal droughts will end, and goals will come. I’ve received messages from lots of fans, who have asked me what I think about Richarlison and his record up front. And I’ve always said ‘guys, come on, let the guy breathe a little bit because, believe me, he’s feeling the pressure’. Let’s be positive, because we all know he’s capable of some special things. Just look at Saturday. He came on, scored a goal and assisted the winner…it’s crazy. You’ve got to let the guy breathe.

Kane’s Spurs exit is ‘better for everyone’

James Maddison looks great. He’s a nice player, he’s got a fantastic touch, he can create and he’s exactly what Tottenham have been missing in recent years. He’s a guy who can put a smile on the faces of the fans. He can do so many good things for this team, and he came at just the right time, I think.

When Harry Kane left, there were lots of questions around where the goals were going to come from. But with the different options Tottenham have up front, and with Maddison playing behind them, I actually think we’re going to see more players involved, and more chances created. At times, it just felt like everything went through Harry Kane, Harry Kane, Harry Kane…so now these guys have a chance to show what they can do.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s a good thing that Harry has left the club. But he’s gone, so you have to think of the positives. And, for me, it’s better for everyone, because they can show a level of spirit and togetherness and, like I said, I think we’re going to see everyone involved in creating a lot more chances.

North London derby prediction

Both teams are in a really good place right now – but I think Tottenham are particularly enjoying a good moment. It’s different; you can see everyone around the club is believing again. We have to take a point from the North London derby. Of course, a win would be perfect, but if you can leave that game with a point, I would be happy.

We have to keep pushing, keep playing well, we can’t afford to lose momentum, so I’m going to say this game finishes 1-1.

I don’t follow the Brazilian guys at Arsenal; I don’t follow Arsenal, I don’t watch them… I don’t really care about them – I’m a Tottenham fan!

You have to give Mikel Arteta credit for what he is doing, for sure. You can see Arsenal are improving, but I said all along last year that they were not going to be champions. Some of their fans called me out on it throughout the season when they kept winning games, but I just told them to wait and see… and then within a few weeks they’d lost their lead and Manchester City overtook them.

Those boys have never had that kind of experience, or the pressure of having to win every single game. And sometimes, it’s a really difficult position to be in, especially when you’ve never been in that situation before. Winning, and winning, and winning again… it’s so difficult. I knew that team were never going to win the league because they weren’t used to that position. They’re not City players; it’s new to them.

The players City have are used to that situation, so while Arsenal have improved, they haven’t done so enough to go and become champions.