Roberto De Zerbi says Richarlison's Tottenham future remains uncertain

De Zerbi's Comments on Richarlison's Future

Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham’s head coach, expressed uncertainty about Richarlison’s future at the club, stating that the Brazil international “sometimes” wants to leave. The comments came after Richarlison scored a stoppage-time winner in Tottenham’s 2-1 friendly victory over Chelsea in Sydney on 1 August 2026. De Zerbi acknowledged the striker’s professionalism and impact, but emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with Richarlison. “I don’t know because I like him as a player and as a guy,” De Zerbi said. “He’s unbelievable in terms of attitude and behaviour. But, in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do.”

De Zerbi reiterated that Richarlison’s contract is in its final year, with the striker’s intentions unclear. “Sometimes he says he wants to stay, sometimes he wants to leave,” the coach added. He highlighted Richarlison’s value to the team, noting the difficulty of replacing a player who scored 12 goals last season. “It’s not easy to find another striker like Richarlison,” De Zerbi said. “He scores goals. He knows the way.”

Richarlison's Contract and Transfer Speculation

Richarlison’s contract situation has been a recurring topic of discussion, with reports suggesting Tottenham could accept a transfer fee of £21-26m for the 29-year-old. The striker, who has been linked with moves in previous transfer windows, remains a subject of speculation as Tottenham prepares for the new season. De Zerbi’s remarks align with broader club activity, as the team has spent heavily in the transfer market, targeting additional attackers such as Manchester City’s Savinho and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.

The coach’s comments reflect the complexity of managing a player in the final year of his contract. “There is not any problem,” he said. “He’s a lovely guy. All of us love him, the team-mates, the club, the staff.”

Spurs' Transfer Strategy and Club Context

Tottenham’s pre-season preparations have been marked by both high-profile signings and ongoing transfer activity. The club’s record-breaking £237m summer spending has included the acquisition of Sandro Tonali, while further additions are expected. De Zerbi emphasized the importance of managing player workloads, citing the physical demands of the schedule. “We have to work almost individually,” he said, noting the need to balance match fitness with injury prevention.

The coach also addressed other aspects of the team’s setup, including the appointment of Archie Gray as captain for the pre-season tour. “It was something more to give him because he deserves to be important for this club,” De Zerbi said. Meanwhile, discussions about potential deals, such as the reported interest in Cristian Romero, were not confirmed. “I don’t know,” De Zerbi said when asked about the reported agreement with Inter Milan. “I texted with Cuti yesterday, but to make a plan for when he has come to London but not for the transfer market.”

Richarlison's Role in Tottenham's Plans

Despite the uncertainty, De Zerbi reiterated his belief in Richarlison’s importance to the squad. The striker’s ability to adapt to different roles and his work ethic were highlighted as key strengths. “He works hard every day, seriously every day,” the coach said. “We can’t say anything about him on the pitch.” This sentiment was echoed in reports of the team’s focus on developing young players, with De Zerbi praising the contributions of younger squad members during the friendly against Chelsea.

The match itself, played in front of 80,363 fans at Accor Stadium, saw Tottenham overcome a red card to secure a win. De Zerbi acknowledged the challenges posed by the pitch conditions and the team’s physical state, but emphasized the significance of the result. “The value of the result is important also in the friendly game,” he said. The victory, coupled with Richarlison’s late goal, underscored the unpredictability of the club’s preparations under De Zerbi.