Richarlison Left Out: Spurs' £60m Striker Stuck in U21s

Richarlison scores for Tottenham U21s after Premier League squad omission

Richarlison, Tottenham's £60m Brazilian striker, scored a half-volley and a penalty in a 7-6 shootout defeat for Spurs' U21s against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy on 13 October 2026, having been left out of the club's 25-man Premier League squad.

Competition: EFL Trophy group stage
Result: 2-2 draw; Cheltenham won 7-6 on penalties
Richarlison's contribution: One goal from open play (a thumping half-volley) and one penalty in the shootout
Premier League status: Omitted from Tottenham's 25-man squad; only second appearance of the season and first since late August against Brentford
Spurs' league position: Second bottom, lowest scorers with three goals
Next window: January transfer window

Why Richarlison was left out of Tottenham's Premier League squad

Richarlison was omitted from Tottenham's 25-man Premier League squad in September. Manager Roberto de Zerbi insisted the decision was not his, following the forward's failed move back to Merseyside at the end of the transfer window.

De Zerbi said in September: "He decided everything alone." He explained that Richarlison had told him at the start of pre-season of his desire to leave and that the club ultimately brought in another striker. "Then for everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job. It is the responsibility of the club," he added.

What was said

"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. 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]."
— Roberto de Zerbi, Tottenham manager, September 2026

De Zerbi's comments clearly distance him from the decision to leave out Richarlison. He frames the omission as a club matter, not a football one. In doing so, he also places the forward's desire to leave at the centre of the saga, hinting that the lack of minutes is a consequence of the player's own wish to depart rather than a loss of faith in his ability.

Deal details

On transfer deadline day, Richarlison was closing in on a return to Everton, more than four years after swapping Merseyside for North London. However, the proposed move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium fell through, leaving both the player and club with few alternatives.

Later that month, a proposed move to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama also collapsed after Richarlison failed to agree personal terms. He was also ruled out of Spurs' Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool last month, with only players registered in their club's respective league squad eligible to feature in the competition.

The numbers

Richarlison joined Tottenham from Everton for £60m.
He has scored 27 top-flight goals in 103 appearances for Spurs.
He was Tottenham's leading scorer in the Premier League last season with 11 goals in 32 appearances as they narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship.
Tottenham have scored just three goals this season and sit second bottom of the table.
Dominic Solanke has scored 13 league goals since joining from Bournemouth two years ago in a £55m deal.
Spurs spent £300m on new recruits over the summer.
His only appearance since the end of August came against Brentford.

Solanke struggles highlight attacking concern

Just six games into the new Premier League season, Tottenham may already be regretting their decision not to register Richarlison. Dominic Solanke's late equaliser against Manchester United on Saturday was the first Premier League goal from a Tottenham forward since Richarlison netted against Chelsea back in May.

Former England striker Alan Shearer questioned Solanke's quality on Match of the Day, describing him as "nowhere near good enough". The 29-year-old has scored just 13 league goals since joining two years ago from Bournemouth in a £55m deal. De Zerbi, though, was pleased with Solanke's performance and contribution after his first goal of the season rescued a point at Old Trafford despite Spurs being reduced to 10 men.

Despite the Italian's positive view and faith in his frontman, Tottenham's problems in the final third are difficult to ignore. When they failed to score in their first four Premier League games this term, supporters inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were holding banners begging the 2025 Europa League winners to find the net.

Why Richarlison's omission is increasingly indefensible

Tottenham's attacking crisis is stark: three goals in six league games, the fewest in the top flight, and a position second from bottom. With Solanke struggling for goals and confidence, the decision to leave a proven Premier League scorer like Richarlison out of the squad looks more baffling by the week.

Richarlison was Tottenham's leading scorer in the league last season with 11 goals, despite the team narrowly avoiding relegation. He has 27 top-flight goals in 103 appearances for Spurs and cost £60m from Everton. Whatever the politics around his failed deadline-day move to Goodison Park and the collapsed switch to Vasco da Gama, the football logic of omitting him is questionable.

De Zerbi has framed the issue as a club responsibility, but on the pitch the consequence is clear: Spurs lack a finisher. Richarlison's half-volley against Cheltenham showed he still knows where the net is. Whether he can force his way back into Premier League contention before January remains to be seen, but on current evidence, Tottenham need goals from somewhere.

Talking points

Should De Zerbi have fought harder to keep Richarlison in the Premier League squad, given Spurs' scoring crisis?
Is Solanke's £55m price tag now a burden, and would Richarlison offer more despite the off-field issues?
Will Richarlison's EFL Trophy performances be enough to earn a January move, or has his bridge with Spurs been burned?
Does the failed Everton and Vasco moves suggest Richarlison's camp misread the market, leaving him stranded?

What happens next

Richarlison will continue to train with Tottenham's U21s and could feature in more EFL Trophy group-stage matches to maintain fitness. His next chance to impress potential suitors will come in January, when the transfer window opens. Everton and Vasco da Gama both failed to sign him in the summer, but his situation at Spurs is unlikely to change before then. Tottenham, meanwhile, must find goals from within their Premier League squad, starting with their next league fixture.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Richarlison not in Tottenham's Premier League squad?

He was omitted from the 25-man squad in September after his failed move to Everton. De Zerbi said the decision was not his and that it was the club's responsibility.

What did Richarlison do against Cheltenham Town?

He scored a thumping half-volley and a penalty in a shootout that Spurs lost 7-6 after a 2-2 draw.

Will Richarlison leave Tottenham in January?

His proposed moves to Everton and Vasco da Gama both collapsed in the summer, but he was left out of the Premier League squad and could seek a move in January. The source does not confirm any new talks.