Leaving Richarlison Out Of EPL Squad Was Not My Decision – De Zerbi

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has delivered a blunt assessment of Richarlison’s future. This comes after the Brazilian striker was sensationally left out of the club’s Premier League squad.

Speaking about the breakdown in their relationship, De Zerbi revealed that he stopped involving the striker in his plans as soon as he said he wanted to leave.

The Italian concluded by emphasising that the technicalities of squad registration fall under the remit of the Tottenham hierarchy, not the coaching staff.

His words, “It was not my decision. It is the normal decision.

I think Richarlison, he decided everything alone. He spoke with me at the beginning of the pre-season and told me his idea and desire was to leave.

At the end we go to bring another striker in and like I said at the beginning of the pre-season, I want to keep the players, just the players that want to stay and be proud and with the right passion to stay here.

Then for everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job. It is the responsibility of the club. I can’t say nothing because I didn’t decide anything.

The message of Richarlison from the beginning of the season has been very clear. I accepted that and for me there is nothing to say.

If you don’t want to stay here, I don’t want to keep talking in the press conference. Go out – you have the freedom to go out. If you don’t want to stay, why do we have to keep you on the list?

Why do you have to stay? I’m not Vinai, I’m not the sporting director, I am the coach and I would like to work with the people hungry if they don’t play but happy to stay in this club.”