Richarlison was left out of Spurs’ 25-man Premier League player list submitted earlier this month - but he is is eligible to play in the Carabao Cup
Richarlison
Richarlison (Image: (Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images))
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Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed he will not be recalling Richarlison to his Tottenham Hotspur squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool. The forward was left out of Spurs’ 25-man Premier League player list submitted earlier this month after being informed he was not part of the first-team plans for this season.
Although the Brazilian is eligible to play for Spurs in the League Cup, De Zerbi revealed he will not recall the forward for the trip to Anfield, even though his side has yet to score a goal this season. Explaining his decision, he said: “Richarlison, you already know everything and nothing change for Carabao Cup or Premier League. The situation is the same.
“I stay in the middle and I can’t say nothing more because it is not my job. I can answer about the result and the players in the squad, the offensive phase, the defensive phase, but not for other things.
“What I have done at the beginning of this season has been to speak with him and to propose an extension of the contract. If he said, ‘no thank you,’ I finished my job.
“I said last press conference. I know what happened in the last 45 days. It’s not right if I explained. It’s not my behaviour. The relationship, the problem is between the player and the club.
“I stay within the club. It’s coach and club together. At the start of this season I spoke to him many times to convince him to stay and he didn’t want to. I can’t go every day to pray for him to stay.”
Spurs made clear to the Brazilian forward in advance of the transfer window in England closing that he was not part of the first-team plans for this season.
However, he failed to finalise a return to former club Everton before deadline day on September 1, while a move to Vasco da Gama collapsed last week.
Roberto De Zerbi and Richarlison
Roberto De Zerbi and Richarlison(Image: (Stu Forster/Getty Images))
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Spurs reached an agreement with the Brazilian side for the 29-year-old, but the move collapsed late on Friday night when personal terms could not be agreed.
And Richarlison took to social media to blame Tottenham, claiming they prevented his dream return to his homeland by hitting their loan quota.
He said: "Hey there, Vasco fans. This week has been pretty hectic. I decided to take some time to thank the Vasco fans. Pedrinho, Felipe. We were very close to me signing with Vasco. My team, the team of my whole family.
"It was a close call. I had made it very clear to Pedrinho and Felipe from the beginning of the conversation that I wanted to play for Vasco until December. When other clubs and other offers came up, I made it clear that they were my priority.
Richarlison watches Tottenham take on Everton
Richarlison watches Tottenham take on Everton (Image: (Alex Pantling/Getty Images))
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"This time, it was a close call. Unfortunately, Tottenham reached the loan limit, so it didn't work out either. But that's it. I wanted to thank you, the Vasco fans, who sent many kind messages.
"Asking what time and day I would be at the airport so they could come and have a party and pick me up. But let's leave that for another time. I believe I'll be at São Januário, in Barreira, soon.
"You know how much I care about you all, and one day I will realize this dream, which is mine, my grandfather's, and my family's. I'm speaking from the heart because I really want to be at Vasco. That's it. Thank you all very much.
"Soon we will be wearing the Vasco shirt. There's even one over there, there are many over there. I found this one, and since Pedrinho has been at Vasco, in charge, he sends me many Vasco shirts, at every launch, he knows I'm a Vasco fan. Thanks. Soon we will be at Sao Januario, in Barreira, and that’s us.”