Lucas Moura
Lucas Moura has described his discussions with Antonio Conte, his plans for his future at Tottenham and exactly what the fans can expect from new signing Richarlison. Lucas believes that the Brazil international is going to be a major asset for Tottenham in the seasons ahead.
Lucas Moura said: “He’s a very good guy. I met him two years ago on the national team. Quality player, very good guy, he will help us a lot because he has some experience in the Premier League. He is strong. His mentality is very good. He’s a great addition for us. He’s a very simple guy, very humble, very funny. It’s always good to have a guy like this in the squad and I’m happy because he’s Brazilian so I have one more Brazilian with me now! He’s always ready to play because we see he loves to play football. He’s always happy, always ready to play, a lot of energy. It’s good to have a player like this. He’s very humble. The area he came from is very simple so he’s very proud of what he’s achieved. I’m happy for him.”
Richarlison has an edge to his play, is tough in the tackle and will do anything to win. That passion has seem him get himself in trouble with the FA recently for throwing a flare back into the crowd after scoring a crucial matchwinner for struggling Everton against Chelsea. That one-match suspension means he will miss Tottenham’s opening Premier League game against Southampton on August 6.
Lucas Moura said: “He’s a kind of player that gives everything on the pitch. He’s a striker who wants to score goals and win the game. There are players like this. When they are on the pitch they change their mood. His character is good, like [Cristian] Romero. Players like this are fighters. In a squad you must have different characters, players who are calm, players who are angry, players who are fighters, warriors, like Pierre [Emile Hojbjerg] and Romero. This is good for a squad. Richarlison will add something more to our squad on the pitch. Away from the pitch we are all good guys, friendly and that’s good.”
Romero and Richarlison have clashed in the past on the pitch and the duo’s meeting in the Hotspur Way canteen when the Brazilian arrived was caught on camera as they shook hands and brought spontaneous applause from the rest of the squad, who were watching on with anticipation.
Lucas Moura said: “That was a funny moment. Everyone was waiting for this moment. We know the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina and we know what happened between Richarlison and Romero, it is completely normal in football because on the pitch everyone wants to win and they are warriors, hungry to win. Most important is the rivalry stays on the pitch and outside we are friends.”
It was put to Lucas that perhaps one of Tottenham’s problems had been that they were too nice as a team and Conte was trying to change that.
Lucas Moura said: “Yes I think so, and Richarlison came to help us in this way with his mentality, his character is good. This season we can see another Tottenham and I hope we achieve our targets because we have a quality squad and a great manager. We have the quality to win trophies and this is our objective. We know how difficult it is because we play in the Premier League and there are a lot of teams that can win. Also, the Champions League we know is not easy but we have a great squad. We have stars like Harry and Sonny. We have a manager who is one of the best. We have a structure, an amazing training ground, an unbelievable stadium, great fans. We have everything we need to achieve. Now it depends on us. We need to work hard and show on the pitch we deserve to win.”
Tottenham reached their first ever Champions League final in 2019 after Lucas sent them there with his dramatic hat-trick against Ajax in Amsterdam in the semi-final second leg. The Brazilian admits that Conte’s squad might be better on paper than three years ago but there is much more to trophy-winning than that.
Lucas Moura added: “It’s very difficult to say. Football is not like this. If we analyse player-by-player maybe this season we are better but only on paper. Football is not like this. Every season has a different history. We need to show this on the pitch. But I believe we can arrive again in the final and have a different finish, lifting the trophy but for this to happen it is a hard way. We need to work very hard. That season, that game against Ajax was unbelievable. The best season, the best game of my career. I will never forget it. It will be in my heart together.”
Lucas’ own future is to be decided with a year left on his current contract and Spurs holding an option to extend it by a further 12 months. He told football.london that he is happy at the north London club even if one day he wants to return to Brazil.
Lucas moura said: “I will turn 30 in August. I’m getting old already, but I feel very good mentally and physically. I’m very, very happy at Tottenham. I love the club. I love the fans. I love everyone who works in the club, but of course I have a plan to go back to Brazil one day. I have at least one year in my contract, maybe two. I don’t know if the club will want me to sign another contract but I’m happy here. I just want to have the best season this season. I just want to win a trophy because this has been my objective here since the first day I arrived in the club, and I believe this season I can achieve this, and then we’ll see next season what is the desire of the club. For this season it could be my last season here. It depends on the club. They have the option to extend for one more year. My first target of the season is to lift a trophy. I lifted a trophy with Sao Paulo, with Paris and with the national team, and I want a trophy here with Tottenham. I think we deserve it but it’s only words. You need to work for this. Then I have other targets, which are to go back to the national team. Why not play in the World Cup at the end of the year, it’s very difficult but anything is possible. I have this hope and I will work for this. These are the two most important targets for now.”
Conte used Lucas as a right wing-back in Tottenham’s pre-season friendly against Sevilla on Saturday out in Korea and praised the Brazilian’s performance. Lucas was asked what the Italian has called for from him this season.
Lucas Moura replied: “He was very clear in every conversation. He said I am important for him. It’s good to know. I always talk to him about what he wants from me, what he expects from me. I am ready to give my best for the team, for him. It doesn’t matter the position on the pitch. I am here to help this squad. I always said this. I’m a team player. I will work for the team. I will do my best for the team. That’s it, that’s my mind.”
