Less than four years after representing Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, Richarlison's trajectory at Tottenham has taken a dramatic turn. The 29-year-old, signed from Everton for £60m and once a teammate of Neymar Jr and Vinicius Jr on international duty, recently scored in front of a sparse crowd for Spurs' under-21 side against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy. He netted a half-volley and also converted a penalty in a shootout that the reserves lost 7-6 after a 2-2 draw, marking only his second competitive appearance of the season.
Richarlison has featured in just one Premier League match this campaign and has been excluded from Tottenham's 25-man league squad. This omission comes as Spurs struggle with their attacking output, having scored only three goals in their opening six top-flight games—the fewest in the division—while sitting second from bottom in the table. The decision to leave out last season's 12-goal leading scorer appears increasingly difficult to defend given the club's offensive crisis.
How did Richarlison end up outside the squad?
Manager Roberto de Zerbi has stated that the decision to exclude Richarlison was not his own. The Brazilian had expressed a desire to leave during pre-season, and a move back to Everton seemed imminent on transfer deadline day. However, that deal collapsed at the final moment, leaving both player and club in an awkward position with few alternatives available so late in the window.
He decided everything alone. He spoke with me at the beginning of the pre-season and told me his idea and desire was to leave. At the end we go to bring another striker [in] and, like I said at the beginning of the pre-season, I want to keep the players, just the players that want to stay and be proud and with the right passion to stay here.De Zerbi explained in September.
Then for everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job. It is the responsibility of the club. I can't say nothing because I didn't decide anything. The message of Richarlison from the beginning of the season has been very clear. I accepted that and for me [there is] nothing [to say].
A subsequent attempt to join Brazilian side Vasco da Gama also fell through after Richarlison failed to reach agreement on personal terms. According to transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham rejected an offer from Turkish club Trabzonspor, while the Vasco negotiations stalled over contract details. Tottenham had reportedly reached its international-loan limit, further complicating a temporary move to the Brazilian club.
The forward was also ruled ineligible for Spurs' Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool last month, as only players registered in their club's respective league squad are permitted to feature in that competition. He was the only overage player selected for Tottenham's U21 squad against Cheltenham, operating on the left wing, as the EFL Trophy offered him a rare opportunity to gain competitive minutes before the January transfer window.
What is the scale of Tottenham's attacking problem?
Spurs' offensive struggles have become impossible to ignore. Since joining from Everton, Richarlison has contributed 27 top-flight goals across 103 appearances. Last season, he was Tottenham's leading scorer in the Premier League with 11 goals in 32 matches, helping the club narrowly avoid relegation to the Championship.
The severity of the current situation became apparent when Dominic Solanke's late equaliser against Manchester United on Saturday marked the first Premier League goal from a Tottenham forward since Richarlison netted against Chelsea in May. Solanke, who arrived from Bournemouth two years ago in a £55m transfer, has managed just 13 league goals since joining. Former England striker Alan Shearer questioned the striker's quality on Match of the Day, describing him as
nowhere near good enough.
De Zerbi expressed satisfaction with Solanke's overall performance and contribution after his goal rescued a point at Old Trafford despite Spurs being reduced to 10 men. However, the Italian's faith in his frontman cannot mask Tottenham's fundamental problems in the final third. The club spent £300m on new recruits over the summer, yet their attacking output remains the weakest in the division. When Spurs failed to score in their opening four Premier League games, supporters inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium displayed banners urging the 2025 Europa League winners to find the net.
What are the broader implications for Richarlison?
Richarlison's situation has become increasingly untenable. According to reports from Yahoo Sports, his representatives have explored legal options to terminate his Tottenham contract, which runs until next summer with the club holding a one-year extension option. The relationship between player and club has deteriorated significantly since the failed transfer attempts.
De Zerbi's assertion that the squad omission was not his decision suggests the issue lies at boardroom level, with the club prioritising other players despite their underperformance. Tottenham reportedly could register only 17 non-homegrown players in their Premier League squad, and the club selected Xavi Simons ahead of Richarlison despite the midfielder recovering from an ACL injury sustained in April.
Richarlison might not provide a complete solution to Spurs' attacking deficiencies, yet his inclusion in the Premier League squad would almost certainly have been more advantageous than his current situation. Instead, he finds himself competing for minutes in England's lower-tier competitions, demonstrating his scoring ability in front of sparse crowds rather than contributing to his club's fight against relegation.
What happens next?
According to Fabrizio Romano's reporting, the expectation is that Richarlison and Tottenham will separate around January, when the transfer window reopens. Tottenham's next Premier League fixture is at home to Coventry City on Monday, October 19, at 8pm UK time, offering another opportunity to address their scoring drought without their former leading marksman.
Key Facts:
- Richarlison has made only one Premier League appearance this season and was excluded from Tottenham's 25-man squad
- Spurs have scored just three goals in six Premier League games, the fewest in the division, while sitting second from bottom
- The Brazilian's representatives have reportedly explored legal options to terminate his contract, with separation expected around January
- Richarlison has scored 27 top-flight goals in 103 appearances since joining Tottenham, including 11 last season when he was the club's leading scorer
- Failed moves to Everton, Vasco da Gama, and Trabzonspor have left the forward in limbo, competing in lower-tier competitions
