Less than four years after starring for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, Richarlison’s decline hit the spotlight as he netted for the Spurs U21s against Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy.
The Brazilian arrived for £60m from Everton, rubbing shoulders with Neymar and Vinicius not long ago, yet he seemed almost mortified celebrating his half‑volley against the League Two side.
He also slotted a penalty in a shootout that saw the reserves fall 7-6 after a 2-2 dead‑lock.
Richarlison, 29, made only his second appearance of the season – his first since late August versus Brentford – after being omitted from Tottenham’s Premier League roster.
Manager Roberto de Zerbi said the September decision to leave him out of the 25‑man squad wasn’t his, citing the forward’s botched move back to Merseyside at the transfer deadline.
With just three goals, Spurs sit at the bottom of the Premier League scoring chart and near the foot of the table, making the exclusion of last season’s 12‑goal top scorer harder to defend.
For a few tense hours on deadline day, it looked inevitable that Richarlison would exit Tottenham.
He was on the brink of an emotional homecoming to Everton, four years after swapping Merseyside for North London.
But after voicing his wish to leave, a proposed switch to the Hill Dickinson Stadium collapsed, leaving both player and club with few options late in the window.
“He decided everything alone,” De Zerbi said in September. “He told me at the start of pre‑season he wanted to depart.”
“We’ll bring another striker in, and as I said early on, I want to keep players who are proud and passionate enough to stay here.”
“Everything else is the club’s responsibility, not mine.”
“I can’t comment because I made no decision. Richarlison’s message has been clear from day one, and I respect that.”
Later that month a move to Brazil’s Vasco da Gama fell through after he couldn’t agree personal terms.
He also missed Spurs’ Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool last month, as only players registered in the league squad were eligible.
The former Watford forward may now have to adapt to lower‑league football, using the EFL Trophy group stage to earn minutes before January.
Just six games into the Premier League, Tottenham might already be regretting not registering Richarlison.
Since leaving Everton, he has struck 27 top‑flight goals in 103 appearances.
He was Spurs’ leading scorer last season, netting 11 times in 32 games as they narrowly avoided relegation.
Dominic Solanke’s late equaliser against Manchester United was the first Tottenham forward’s Premier League goal since Richarlison’s strike on Chelsea in May.
Former England great Alan Shearer dismissed Solanke on Match of the Day, calling him nowhere near good enough – the 29‑year‑old has managed only 13 league goals since his £55m move from Bournemouth two years ago.
De Zerbi, however, praised Solanke’s effort, noting his goal rescued a point at Old Trafford despite Spurs playing with ten men.
Yet even the Italian’s optimism can’t mask the club’s attacking woes after splashing £300m on new signings this summer.
When they failed to score in their opening four league games, fans waved banners urging the 2025 Europa League winners to find the net.
Richarlison might not solve every problem, but keeping him in the Premier League squad would have been far more useful than watching him wander lower‑tier pitches.