Micah Richards believes some Tottenham Hotspur players ‘won’t know what’s hit them’ and could be shocked when they play in the Champions League this season.
The former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender said: “If Kane and Son are tired, and they’ve gone to extra time (in the Champions League), although they’ve got Richarlison, it’s still a drop off (in quality).
“A lot of those players won’t know what’s hit them when they play in the Champions League.”
It’s a bold prediction from Richards, especially considering many of Tottenham’s key players already have plenty of Champions League experience.
Manager Antonio Conte will be entering his sixth Champions League campaign this season, although he’s never made it past the quarter-finals.
Richards predicts some Tottenham players will be shocked by the Champions League
There may be some truth to Richards’ prediction though, with half of Spurs’ new arrivals this summer having little to no European experience.
Big money signing Richarlison has never played in a European competition, and neither has Djed Spence.
Depending on where Conte sees his opportunities to rotate the squad during a frantic season, both players may be thrown in at the deep end when it comes to European football.
Yves Bissouma has made a single substitute appearance in the Europa League more than six years ago, and this will be new territory for him as well.
The Champions League group stage draw hasn’t been done yet, and they need to be wary of potentially strengthening their opponents, with one club they could come up against interested in Tanguy Ndombele.
However, Spurs possess plenty of quality around these new signings that should make the transition to playing Champions League football easier.