De Zerbi Says Richarlison Future Not His Problem North London 2026

Key Points

• De Zerbi Disowns Richarlison Situation: Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has publicly stated that the unresolved future of outcast striker Richarlison is “not my problem any more”, shifting full accountability to the club’s hierarchy.
• Hierarchy Directed Questions: De Zerbi explicitly directed reporters to consult chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and technical director Johan Lange regarding the 29-year-old forward’s status in North London.
• Public Social Media Clash: The Italian manager’s comments came in response to Richarlison sharing an Instagram post endorsing criticism by former Everton caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson, who publicly questioned the player’s total exile from the first team.
• Complete Squad Omission: Richarlison was omitted from Spurs’ 25-man registered Premier League squad following a summer transfer window in which proposed moves to Everton and Vasco da Gama collapsed.
• Under-21 Demotion: The Brazilian international has been relegated to youth fixtures, recently scoring a goal in an EFL Trophy fixture against fourth-tier Cheltenham Town.
• Office Door Open: Despite stepping away from the registration decision, De Zerbi clarified that he holds no personal grudge and invited Richarlison to speak with him directly in his office between 8:30 am and the evening.
• Coventry Focus: The press conference took place at Hotspur Way ahead of Tottenham’s crucial Premier League fixture against Coventry City, with Spurs sitting near the bottom of the table without a win.

North London (North London News) October 19, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has insisted Richarlison’s future is no longer his ‘problem’, directing questions about the Brazilian forward to the club after further talks about why he isn’t part of Spurs’ squad. The 29-year-old was left out of Tottenham’s registered Premier League squad this season after failing to secure a transfer away from North London during the summer. Richarlison explored moves to former club Everton and Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, but neither deal materialised, leaving the striker without a regular first-team role. The Spurs head coach addressed the situation during the summer, confirming that Richarlison asked to leave several times and that he had also turned down the possibility of a new contract in North London. Speaking ahead of Monday night’s Premier League meeting with Coventry City, De Zerbi made his position clear.

What Did Roberto De Zerbi Say Regarding Richarlison’s Squad Exile?

Facing reporters at the club’s Hotspur Way training complex on Sunday morning, head coach Roberto De Zerbi directly addressed the ongoing friction surrounding the Brazilian international. As reported by Abiodun Adewale Adeniyi of Beyond the Final Whistle and corroborated by Goal, De Zerbi stated:

“It’s not my problem any more. You have to ask Vinai or Johan. It’s not my problem. I know as a coach I have to support and take responsibility even when it’s not my responsibility. I have not decided anything in this situation.”

De Zerbi emphasised that his authority does not extend to board-level squad registration decisions and distanced himself from the ongoing public narrative. As reported by Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail and BBC Sport, the Italian tactician reiterated that the executive management—specifically Chief Executive Officer Vinai Venkatesham and Technical Director Johan Lange—holds sole oversight of the striker’s contractual and registration status.

Despite passing administrative accountability to the boardroom, De Zerbi maintained that he remains accessible to the forward on a personal level. As noted by Goal, De Zerbi added:

“If he wants to speak to me he can find me in my office until 8.30am until the evening. But I don’t want to speak any more because my focus is on the Coventry game.”

Why Did Richarlison Intervene on Social Media Before the Coventry Match?

The immediate catalyst for De Zerbi’s media address was a public social media update published by Richarlison over the weekend. As reported by George Flood of the Evening Standard, Everton icon Duncan Ferguson offered an outspoken assessment of Richarlison’s situation during an appearance on The Overlap Daily. Ferguson remarked:

“I don’t know if they’ve had a massive fall-out, and knowing Richy they probably have, but you’ve got to put your arm around him and say, ‘Come on, Richy,’ and get him back in. You don’t leave a player like that out unless there’s been a real murder: he’s chinned him, or there’s been a proper scrap on the training ground. Richarlison’s a good player, and Tottenham are not that great, are they? It’s all hands-on deck. You need all your assets out there.”

Richarlison reshared Ferguson’s commentary directly to his official Instagram Stories, accompanied by the caption: “Thanks @duncan9ferguson, you are right.” The endorsement was interpreted by commentators across UK media outlets as a public critique directed at his head coach, prompting journalists to seek clarification during Sunday’s pre-match briefing.

How Has Richarlison Been Performing During His First-Team Exclusion?

Having been excluded from Tottenham’s registered 25-man Premier League squad list following the conclusion of the summer transfer window, Richarlison’s playing time has been restricted.

In order to maintain match fitness, the forward was assigned to feature in youth fixtures. As reported by Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard, Richarlison featured in an EFL Trophy fixture against League Two outfit Cheltenham Town. The Brazilian scored a goal in a 2-2 draw and subsequently converted his spot-kick during a penalty shootout, which Tottenham’s development side lost 7-6. Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill publicly commended the player’s conduct during the fixture, noting that Richarlison remained on the pitch following the final whistle to take photographs and sign autographs for supporters.

What Caused the Breakdown of Richarlison’s Summer Transfer Options?

The forward’s total exclusion follows an unsettled summer transfer window where multiple avenues for an exit closed without resolution. As reported by Sami Mokbel, former club Everton lodged an interest in re-signing the striker, but negotiations failed to result in a completed deal prior to the deadline.

Subsequent negotiations with Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama also stalled before Deadline Day. According to reports detailed across domestic outlets, structural disagreements and valuation gaps prevented a deal from progressing, while FIFA loan limitations prevented Spurs from executing a temporary arrangement. Additional approaches from overseas clubs similarly failed to materialise prior to the registration deadlines.

Background of the Particular Development

Richarlison joined Tottenham Hotspur from Everton in July 2022 in a transfer deal valued at £60 million. Across his time in North London, the striker has experienced varied periods of form alongside physical setbacks that limited his continuity in the starting XI.

Following the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as head coach, structural alterations were made to the first-team squad composition. During pre-season preparations, Richarlison formally requested a transfer to secure playing time, while turning down an offer to negotiate a new contract extension in North London.

When domestic and international transfer deadlines passed without a completed transfer, Tottenham’s executive committee opted against utilizing one of their permitted 25 squad registration slots for the senior Premier League roster on an unsettled player. Consequently, Richarlison remains under contract on senior wages while restricted to training at Hotspur Way and participating in non-registered fixtures until the transfer window reopens in January.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Tottenham Hotspur and Its Supporters

The public breakdown between Roberto De Zerbi, the Tottenham Hotspur executive board, and Richarlison carries significant immediate and long-term implications for the club, its squad dynamics, and its fanbase.

From a sporting perspective, Tottenham enter their upcoming fixtures sitting near the bottom of the Premier League table, struggling for consistent results. Possessing an international forward who is structurally ineligible to assist the first team creates a tactical limitation for De Zerbi, particularly during periods of match congestion or offensive injuries. If results on the pitch do not improve rapidly, fan frustration regarding squad management and asset utilization is likely to intensify.

Financially, the public nature of De Zerbi’s comments and Richarlison’s social media activity weakens Tottenham’s leverage ahead of the January transfer window. Prospective buying clubs in Europe, South America, or the Saudi Pro League will be fully aware that Spurs hold an un-registered, high-earning player who is alienated from first-team operations. This reduces the likelihood of Tottenham recouping a significant portion of their original investment, potentially forcing the club to accept a discounted transfer fee or absorb a substantial portion of his wages in a loan agreement.

For the supporters, the impasse highlights operational friction between the coaching staff and executive leadership regarding squad assembly. Unless a resolution is executed during the mid-season transfer window, the ongoing situation risks remaining a recurring distraction at Hotspur Way.