Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian striker Richarlison (L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal to equalise, during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi said he only wants to work with "hungry" players after leaving Richarlison out of his Premier League squad.
The Brazilian's future is uncertain after a proposed return to Everton before Tuesday's transfer deadline for English clubs reportedly collapsed over his wage demands.
Richarlison has also been linked with moves to Turkey or Saudi Arabia, where the window remains open, but he cannot feature for Tottenham in the Premier League until at least January after being left out De Zerbi's 25-man squad.
In an explosive social media post on Monday, Richarlison claimed "never again will anyone decide my future for me".
But De Zerbi said it was the 29-year-old who initiated a move.
"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," the Italian told a pre-match press conference on Friday.
"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?"
De Zerbi guided Tottenham to Premier League survival towards the end of last season, but a splurge of over £300 million ($405 million) on new players in the transfer market is yet to reap any reward.
Spurs have lost their opening two games of the season to Brentford and Newcastle without even scoring.
Mykhailo Mudryk became the latest new addition to De Zerbi's squad after a deadline-day loan move from Chelsea.
The Ukrainian last made a competitive appearance in November 2024.
Mudryk was initially banned for four years for failing a doping test, but was cleared to play in July after resolving his case with the English Football Association.
Signed for £61 million in 2022, Mudryk played some of the best football of his career under De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk.
"The potential is clear and now his challenge is to respect all his qualities, because he's a great player," said De Zerbi, who believes Mudryk is already fit enough to appear as an impact substitute.
