Richarlison Excluded from Tottenham's Premier League Squad

Tottenham Hotspur have named their 25-man Premier League squad. One name is missing, and it’s the one that shouts loudest from the page: Richarlison.

The 29-year-old, last season’s top scorer with 11 goals in 32 league appearances, has been left in limbo. While injured players such as Simons and Odobert were still registered, Richarlison has been frozen out entirely after a summer spent pushing for an exit.

De Zerbi did not try to soften the blow. He also refused to claim ownership of the call.

“It was not my decision. It is the normal decision,” the Tottenham head coach said, laying the responsibility at the player’s feet. “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.

“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 was clear: if you check out, you’re out.

De Zerbi stressed that the formalities of squad registration sit with the club hierarchy, not with him. The line between coaching and boardroom was drawn firmly.

“Then for everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job. It is the responsibility of the club,” he continued. “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 speed of Richarlison’s slide is striking. He started the opening game of the campaign against Brentford, still seemingly central to Tottenham’s plans. Since then, the landscape has shifted under his feet.

Omar Marmoush has arrived from Manchester City. Mykhailo Mudryk has come in on loan from Chelsea. Savio has joined from City as well. Three fresh attacking options, three direct threats to his minutes. The hierarchy of the forward line has been rewritten, and Richarlison now finds himself on the outside looking in.

De Zerbi’s stance is rooted in a simple principle: harmony over ego. He wants edge, but not sulking. Competition, not complaint.

“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?

“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.”

Tottenham have made their choice. Richarlison made his. The squad list just put it in black and white.