With the transfer window now slammed shut, Roberto de Zerbi spoke to the media ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's away clash against Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur's head coach Roberto De Zerbi takes part in a press conference after a training session at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on July 31, 2026, ahead of a pre-season friendly against Chelsea.
Roberto De Zerbi spoke to the press ahead of Tottenham's away battle against Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty )
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Roberto De Zerbi has blamed Richarlison for the Tottenham Hotspur forward's chaotic end to the summer transfer window. The forward had been linked with a move to Everton, which he went on to reject.
He then uploaded a fiery statement on Instagram, seemingly accusing Spurs of trying to force him out of the club, at the time they were trying to sign then Toffees' forward Iliman N'Diaye. Richarlison ended the transfer window as a Spurs player, but has reportedly agreed personal terms to move to Trabzonspor.
De Zerbi, who also confirmed his squad is "all available to play" against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, believes Richarlison only has himself to blame for the transfer saga.
The Italian, speaking on Friday, said: "Richarlison, he decided everything alone. He spoke with me at the beginning of pre-season. He told me his idea, his desire was to leave.
"In the end we went to bring another striker and like I said at the start of pre-season I want to keep only the players who want to stay with pride and the right passion to stay here. Then for other problems it's not my business, it's the job of the club.
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"I can't say nothing because I didn't decide anything. The message of Richarlison from the beginning of pre-season has been very clear and I accepted that."
When asked about the prospect of the ex-Everton forward departing in the coming days, De Zerbi added: "I don't know if there is an offer from Turkey.
Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur warms up during the Carabao Cup round 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, United Kingdom, on August 26, 2026
Richarlison was furious with the way his future was being handled(Image: News Images/NurPhoto)
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"I don't know if the club accepted this offer. I know there was an offer before the end of the transfer market but he did not accept that offer. For me nothing changes."
De Zerbi also offered a positive injury update on his squad ahead of the away clash against Forest. When asked for the latest report on his squad, he replied: "We are all available to play. Normally Maddison started yesterday with us but the other players are all good. Savio is back."
While plenty of focus was spent on Richarlison, the club did manage to secure more new signings on the final day of the transfer window. Notably, De Zerbi has reunited with his Shakhtar Donetsk prodigy Mykhailo Mudryk, who arrived on loan from Chelsea.
Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, shakes hands with Richarlison after the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England.
De Zerbi spoke bluntly about Richarlison(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Speaking about the Ukrainian's arrival, De Zerbi, after saying the winger may be ready to feature for "15-20 minutes" said: "We spent a very particular season together at Shakhtar. When I spoke about the Ballon D'or I was very clear. I was speaking about the potential of the player.
"The player can respect the prediction or not. He has had plenty of problems, most recently the ban. He has plenty of qualities though and he needs to feel this season in the right way, not too much pressure."
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