Roberto De Zerbi has lifted the lid on his private conversations with Richarlison as the public dispute between the Brazilian and Tottenham continues to escalate.
The Spurs manager addressed the situation during his pre-match press conference, making clear that the 29-year-old forward made his intentions known from the very start of the summer.
“I think Richarlison he decided everything alone,” De Zerbi stated, leaving little ambiguity about where he stood on the matter.
De Zerbi revealed that the striker approached him at the beginning of pre-season to make his desires crystal clear before any formal transfer activity had taken shape.
“He spoke with me at the beginning of the pre-season and told me his idea and desire was to leave,” the manager explained, confirming the club then moved to recruit another striker as a result.
De Zerbi also made plain his philosophy on squad management, insisting he only wants players who are fully committed to the cause at Tottenham.
“I want to keep the players, just the players that want to stay and be proud and with the right passion to stay here,” he said, drawing a firm line on squad selection principles.
The Italian coach was careful to distance himself from the boardroom discussions surrounding Richarlison’s future, stressing that such negotiations fall outside his responsibilities entirely.
“For everything and other problems, it is not my business and not my job,” De Zerbi added. “It is the responsibility of the club. I can’t say nothing because I didn’t decide anything.”
Richarlison had already sparked significant attention by taking to Instagram with a lengthy and forceful statement outlining his position on the situation.
The forward declared: “After everything I’ve been through in the last few years, I’ve decided that NEVER AGAIN will anyone decide my future for me.”
He also referenced the difficulties he has faced, writing that pressure, threats, and retaliation did not frighten him after years of decisions being made by others on his behalf.
Richarlison insisted he had always made it clear that any transfer would need to benefit both himself and Tottenham, and pointed to his loyalty during a turbulent period at the club.
“I stayed and gave my life,” he wrote, urging the club to “treat my situation with the same respect that I’ve always had for the Spurs and for all the people who worked with me during this period.”
With the domestic transfer window shut and Richarlison left off Tottenham’s official 25-man Premier League squad list, Turkish side Trabzonspor had reportedly agreed personal terms with the player.
However, the Turkish transfer deadline has now also passed, meaning Richarlison appears set to remain at Spurs for the foreseeable future despite the very public falling out.
When asked about interest from Trabzonspor ahead of their deadline, De Zerbi admitted uncertainty, saying: “I don’t know if there is an offer from Turkey. I know there was an offer before the end of the English transfer window close, but he didn’t accept. For me nothing change.”
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