Richarlison Omitted from Tottenham's Premier League Squad
Tottenham Hotspur have named their official Premier League squad. One name is missing in bold: Richarlison.
The 29-year-old, last season’s top scorer with 11 goals in 32 league appearances, has been left in the cold. No injury caveat. No late paperwork excuse. Just a clean break from the list.
What makes the omission even starker is who did make it. Injured pair Simons and Odobert are both registered despite their current unavailability. Richarlison, fit but agitating for an exit all summer, has been discarded.
De Zerbi distances himself – and points the finger
Roberto De Zerbi did not try to hide from the subject. He also did not pretend the relationship could be patched up.
“It was not my decision. It is the normal decision,” the Tottenham head coach said when asked about the Brazilian’s absence. “I think Richarlison, 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.”
That early conversation set the tone. Once Richarlison made it clear he wanted out, De Zerbi moved on.
“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.”
The message is blunt: commitment first, reputation second.
Club call, not coach’s – at least on paper
De Zerbi repeatedly stressed that the formal act of cutting Richarlison from the Premier League list came from upstairs, not the dugout.
“Then for everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job. It is the responsibility of the club,” he said. “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.”
The coach is drawing a line. The hierarchy handles registrations; he handles the dressing room. But both sides clearly aligned on one point: a player who wants to leave will not be protected.
From opening-day starter to out in the cold
The speed of Richarlison’s slide is striking. He started the opening game of the campaign against Brentford, still apparently part of the plan, still a central figure after topping the scoring charts last season.
Then came the new faces.
Omar Marmoush arrived from Manchester City. Mykhailo Mudryk came in on loan from Chelsea. Savio followed from City as well. With each signing, Richarlison’s grip on his place loosened. Now it has gone entirely.
A manager who wants ‘hungry’ players only
De Zerbi has been consistent about the type of squad he wants to build. Harmony. Hunger. Players willing to fight for minutes, not complain about them.
He laid out his stance in typically sharp terms.
“If you don't want to stay here, I don't want to keep talking in the press conference. Go out – you have the freedom to go out,” he said. “If you don't want to stay, why do we have to keep you on the list? Why do you have to stay?”
That line cuts to the heart of the decision. A Premier League squad place is too valuable to spend on someone whose head is elsewhere.
“I'm not Vinai, I'm not the sporting director, I am the coach and I would like to work with the people hungry if they don't play but happy to stay in this club.”
So Richarlison, once the focal point of Tottenham’s attack, now sits outside the 25-man group, a high-profile casualty of a manager’s hardline vision and a player’s own desire to move on.
Tottenham have chosen their side. The next move belongs to Richarlison.
