De Zerbi says Richarlison chose to leave Tottenham out of squad

Roberto de Zerbi says it was not his decision to exclude Richarlison from Tottenham’s Premier League squad, insisting the striker had made his position clear by telling the manager he wanted to leave the club.

The 29-year-old was left out of Spurs’ 25-man squad submitted on Thursday, even though injured players Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert were included.

Richarlison’s omission came after a difficult week for the forward. De Zerbi had previously revealed that the former Everton striker had asked to leave Tottenham, and he came close to returning to his former club before a proposed move broke down on Tuesday, the day of the transfer deadline.

The Brazilian was also linked with a possible transfer to Turkish club Trabzonspor, although that side’s transfer window closed on Friday evening. Saudi Arabian clubs still have the opportunity to sign players until Sunday.

De Zerbi said the decision to leave Richarlison out followed the player’s own wishes rather than instructions from the manager.

“It was not my decision. It is the normal decision,” said the Italian boss.

“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.

“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].”

De Zerbi indicated that his preference at the start of the season had been to retain players who were committed to remaining at Tottenham. However, he said matters relating to Richarlison’s future were the responsibility of the club rather than the manager.

The decision to include Simons and Odobert despite their injuries means Richarlison’s absence was not simply a consequence of the club having to manage the size of its squad. Instead, it followed the discussions between the player and De Zerbi during pre-season, when Richarlison made his desire to leave known.

Tottenham moved to bring in another striker, but Richarlison’s potential departure was not completed before the English transfer deadline. His possible return to Everton also failed to materialise, leaving his immediate future unresolved while additional transfer opportunities remain in Saudi Arabia until Sunday.

For De Zerbi, however, the matter is settled from his perspective. He said Richarlison had been consistent in communicating his intentions and that he had accepted the player’s position.