Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Richarlison will not be part of Tottenham’s squad for the League Cup match against Liverpool on Tuesday. This is despite Tottenham struggling to score goals lately.
Richarlison, a Brazilian forward, was left out of the club’s 25-man Premier League squad submitted earlier this month. He was told he was not in the first-team plans. Although he could not find a new club, he is still eligible to play in the League Cup.
De Zerbi made it clear on Monday that Richarlison, who recently turned down a move to Vasco da Gama, will not play. This is surprising since he has a good record against Liverpool.
“Richarlison, you already know everything and nothing changes for the Carabao (League) Cup or the Premier League. The situation is the same,” he said.
The Italian coach's team has not scored any goals in their first four Premier League matches this season. He said he feels stuck in a tough spot.
“What I have done at the beginning of this season has been to speak with him and to propose an extension of the contract,” he said. “If he said, ‘No, thank you,’ I finished my job.
“I said at the last press conference. I know what happened in the last 45 days. It’s not right if I explain. It’s not my behaviour. The relationship, the problem is between the player and the club.
“I stay within the club. It’s the coach and the club together. At the start of this season I spoke to him many times to convince him to stay and he didn’t want to. I can’t go every day to pray for him to stay.”
Richarlison, who is 29 years old, started in Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Brentford. He was told he could leave before a move to Everton fell through. Links to Trabzonspor also did not lead to a transfer.
He was present at Saturday’s goalless draw against Everton but will not be playing in the upcoming match.
De Zerbi will also miss Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali for the trip to Anfield this week.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇