RICHARLISON RESPONDS AFTER TOTTENHAM BOSS RULES HIM OUT

Richarlison posted on social media after Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi said the forward would not play for the club even if he was available. De Zerbi made the comments ahead of Tottenham's Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, ruling him out of that match and the Premier League squad. According to ESPN, De Zerbi said the situation had not changed and that it was not his place to comment further on the matter. He added that he offered Richarlison a contract extension at the start of the season, which the forward turned down, and considered the issue closed.

Richarlison pushed for a move away from Tottenham during the summer transfer window. Tottenham reached an agreement with Everton, his former club, for his transfer, but he was reluctant to return there. Vasco da Gama, the Brazilian club, also sought to sign him, and Tottenham agreed a fee of around €20 million to send him back to the country of his birth. According to football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, the move collapsed after Richarlison failed to agree personal terms with Vasco da Gama. GiveMeSport reported that Richarlison had also approached FIFA in an attempt to terminate his Tottenham contract.

Richarlison featured in Tottenham's opening league fixture against Brentford but has not played since, amid the uncertainty over his future. Unless his approach to FIFA succeeds, he is set to remain a Tottenham player for at least the coming months. De Zerbi indicated the club's position would not change for either the Carabao Cup or the Premier League while the situation continues. The head coach said he would discuss team selection and results but not comment further on Richarlison's circumstances.