Tottenham Hotspur's aspirations for a top-four finish in the Premier League have taken a significant hit with the news of Richarlison's injury sidelining him for up to four weeks. The Brazilian forward, who has been in scintillating form with 11 goals in 25 appearances this season, suffered a knee injury during Spurs' recent 2-1 defeat to Wolves.

Manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed the setback in a press conference, stating that Richarlison's absence will be felt for the next few crucial fixtures. With key games against Crystal Palace and top-four rivals Aston Villa looming, Spurs face a challenging period without one of their most potent attacking threats.

The absence of Richarlison leaves a considerable void in Tottenham's frontline, with Son Heung-min expected to step up as his replacement. The South Korean star, known for his versatility and goal-scoring prowess, will likely shift from the left flank to a central role leading the attacking line.

While Tottenham boasts a depth of options on the wings with players like Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, and Timo Werner, the loss of Richarlison's clinical finishing will undoubtedly be felt. Additionally, James Maddison's ability to operate as a creative force in the No. 10 role or on the flanks provides Postecoglou with tactical flexibility. Still, it doesn't fully compensate for the Brazilian's absence.

The timing of Richarlison's injury compounds Tottenham's woes as they aim to close the gap on top-four rivals. With a crucial game against Crystal Palace on the horizon and a rescheduled fixture against Chelsea looming, Spurs cannot afford any slip-ups in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

As Tottenham navigates through this challenging period without Richarlison, the resilience and adaptability of Postecoglou's squad will be put to the test. With the race for a top-four finish intensifying, every point becomes vital, making Richarlison's absence a significant blow to Spurs' ambitions.