Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has addressed the Richarlison situation, making it clear that nothing has changed from his side.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi has named his 25-man squad for the remainder of the 2026/27 Premier League season after the transfer window closed.
De Zerbi’s Premier League squad included one big shock: Brazilian forward Richarlison was excluded, while injured stars Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert were named.
This decision left the Tottenham fan base split, with some fans unable to wrap their heads around the Tottenham boss’ decision, while others felt it was deserved.
Roberto De Zerbi addresses Richarlison situation at Tottenham
Richarlison has also been the subject of much transfer drama, with the Brazil international opting against a move to Everton on deadline day, a move that could have seen Spurs land Iliman Ndiaye from the Merseyside club.
An offer was also on the table from Turkish side Trabzonspor, but the Turkish side have since turned their attention to 22-year-old forward Dju, after failing to reach an agreement with Spurs, who were looking for a little over £20 million to let Richarlison go.
Roberto De Zerbi, speaking to football.london, has now addressed the Richarlison situation, with the Tottenham boss explaining the forward’s decision to leave and what he knows about late interest from Turkey.
He said: “Richarlison he decided everything alone. He spoke with me at the beginning of pre-season. He told me his idea, his desire was to leave.
“In the end we went to bring another striker and like I said at the start of pre-season I want to keep only the players who want to stay with pride and the right passion to stay here. Then for other problems it’s not my business, it’s the job of the club. I can’t say nothing because I didn’t decide anything.
“The message of Richarlison from the beginning of pre-season has been very clear and I accepted that.I don’t know if there is an offer from Turkey. I don’t know if the club accepted this offer. I know there was an offer before the end of the transfer market but he did not accept that offer. For me nothing changes.”
Richarlison hits back at Spurs treatment
It has since been revealed that Richarlison has been left to train with the kids at Spurs, following his falling out with the club.
But the forward himself has also been vocal about Tottenham’s treatment of him and recently made that clear in a social media outburst.
He wrote: “After everything I’ve been through in recent years, I decided that they would NEVER AGAIN decide my future for me. I’ve been through a lot of bad things these days and almost all of them happened because of decisions made by other people.
“Pressure, threats, retaliations- none of this scares me. I’ve been through worse things… believe me!
“I have always made it clear, at every opportunity, that an exit of mine to another place would also have to be good for the club. If it wasn’t, I would never accept… as I didn’t accept when everything here was falling apart and they (Spurs) needed me.
“I stayed and gave my life. So, I hope you treat my situation with the same respect that I always had for Spurs and for all the people who worked with me during this period. Just don’t try to decide for me.
“If they reach an agreement Spurs and Everton I go back to my favourite team. My intention was to return to the place where I was very happy. But the negotiations were the way people wanted, and it won’t be like this anymore.
“Despite this turmoil, I have a contract with Spurs, and I will be at the club’s disposal”