Roberto De Zerbi has thrown fresh uncertainty over Richarlison’s expected exit, indicating the Brazilian forward still figures prominently in his plans despite months of speculation about his next move.
Strengthening the attack has been a clear priority for Tottenham all summer, with fans, analysts and figures inside the club united on the need for a new number nine before the window shuts.
That push for reinforcements led many to assume Richarlison would be shown the door. Spurs are understood to have looked at offloading him in each of the past two windows, but the striker opted to stay put both times.
Even amid the transfer chatter, Richarlison had a solid 2025/26 campaign, ending up as the club’s top scorer in the league with 11 goals — a return that carried extra weight given how much Dominic Solanke was hampered by injuries and patchy form.
Tottenham went into last season with three senior strikers on the books, including Randal Kolo Muani during his loan stint, but with investment going elsewhere this summer, there’s a growing sense De Zerbi could operate with a leaner forward line this time round.
De Zerbi shows his hand
Speaking after the pre-season meeting with Chelsea, De Zerbi gave Richarlison a ringing endorsement, leaving no doubt about how highly he rates both his football and his character.
He praised the forward’s professionalism and attitude, while acknowledging the final call on his future would ultimately come down to the player himself.
Crucially, De Zerbi described him as a genuinely important piece of the squad, noting how hard it is to replace a proven goalscorer.
The manager pointed directly to last season’s goal tally as proof of Richarlison’s quality, adding that his knack for finishing comes from instinct rather than luck.
A departure no longer feels like a formality
De Zerbi’s comments have shifted the narrative considerably. Rather than sounding like someone preparing to move on without the Brazilian, he came across as a manager keen to keep hold of him.
He also suggested there’s no guarantee a new signing would hit the ground running, arguing an unproven striker would still need time to adapt, unlike Richarlison, who has already shown he can deliver in the Premier League.
Many have read that as De Zerbi effectively making the case — to both the player and the club — that retaining Richarlison might be the smarter call.
Spurs are still likely to bring in fresh attacking options before deadline day, but De Zerbi’s public support suggests Richarlison leaving is no longer a foregone conclusion.
For the time being, he remains very much part of the manager’s thinking, and his time at Tottenham may not be over just yet.
