Roberto De Zerbi Breaks Silence On Richarlison

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has insisted Richarlison’s future is no longer his ‘problem’, directing questions about the Brazilian forward to the club after further talks about why he isn’t part of Spurs’ squad.

The 29-year-old has been left out of Tottenham’s registered Premier League squad this season after failing to secure a transfer away from North London during the summer. Richarlison explored moves to former club Everton and Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, but neither deal materialised, leaving the striker without a regular first-team role. Spurs Head Coach addressed the situation during the summer, confirming that Richarlison asked to leave several times and that he had also turned down the possibility of a new contract in North London.

Speaking ahead of Monday Night’s Premier League meeting with Coventry City, De Zerbi made his position clear.

“It’s not my problem anymore,” the Italian told reporters.

He said questions about Richarlison should be directed to chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange.

The Italian's latest comments follow Richarlison’s reaction to criticism from former Everton striker and coach Duncan Ferguson, who questioned the decision to leave the Brazil international out of Tottenham’s plans.

Ferguson, who worked with Richarlison at Everton, said the striker’s exclusion was hard to understand given his ability and past contributions.

Richarlison subsequently shared Ferguson’s comments on his personal Instagram account on Saturday, adding: “Thanks, Duncan Ferguson, you are right.”

Despite being excluded from the Premier League squad, Richarlison featured for Tottenham’s Under-21s against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy on 13 October.

He scored Spurs’ equaliser in the 56th minute before Miracle Adewole put Wayne Burnett’s side ahead.

Cheltenham eventually equalised in stoppage time to force a 2-2 draw before winning the penalty shootout 7-6 and securing an extra point. Richarlison also converted his spot-kick and was publicly praised for his attitude by Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill. The Brazilian also stayed after the game to take photos and sign autographs with both sets of fans.

The striker’s situation has attracted further questions as Tottenham have struggled in front of goal in the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign. Roberto De Zerbi’s side has scored just three goals in the first six Premier League fixtures, two of them coming late in a 2-3 home defeat to Aston Villa.

Spurs enter Monday’s fixture against Coventry without a league win, and if Tottenham struggle in front of goal against the newly promoted side, calls and cries about Richarlison's omission will only grow, as will the pressure on Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham Head Coach.