Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has firmly ruled out Richarlison from his plans, saying the Brazilian forward will not play for the club even if he is available.
De Zerbi made the position clear ahead of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup third-round meeting with Liverpool at Anfield, ending any possibility of Richarlison returning to the squad for the cup competition.
“Richarlison will NOT play even if he’s available. Not even in the Carabao Cup, no,” De Zerbi said.
The decision means Richarlison remains completely outside the manager’s plans despite being eligible to play in the Carabao Cup.
Richarlison Left Out of Premier League Squad
Richarlison's situation at Tottenham deteriorated during the summer transfer window after the Brazil international expressed his desire to leave the club.
Although Tottenham were prepared to facilitate a departure, a transfer did not materialise before the window closed.
The forward was subsequently left out of Tottenham's 25-man Premier League squad, although his omission from that list does not automatically prevent him from playing in domestic cup competitions.
That distinction had raised the possibility that De Zerbi could use Richarlison in the Carabao Cup, particularly with Tottenham struggling for goals.
However, the manager has now eliminated that possibility.
De Zerbi's latest comments indicate that Richarlison's exclusion is not simply related to his Premier League registration or fitness.
Instead, the manager has made clear that the forward is not part of his current plans for either league or cup football.
Tottenham Facing Liverpool Without Richarlison
Tottenham travel to Anfield on Tuesday for a Carabao Cup third-round tie against Liverpool.
The decision comes at a difficult time for Spurs, who have struggled offensively at the start of the season.
Tottenham have gone through a difficult run without scoring in their recent Premier League matches, including a 0-0 draw with Everton at the weekend.
De Zerbi had been asked whether Richarlison could provide an attacking option against Liverpool, but the Tottenham boss remained unequivocal about his decision.
Richarlison was present at the stadium for the Everton match but was not involved in the game.
His absence is particularly notable because he was Tottenham's leading scorer last season, making his continued exclusion a significant decision for a team currently searching for goals.
Why Richarlison Is Frozen Out
The breakdown between Richarlison and Tottenham is connected to his desire to leave the club during the summer.
The Brazilian reportedly sought a move away after deciding that he wanted a new challenge.
Tottenham explored possibilities for the 29-year-old, including a potential return to Everton, while other opportunities were also discussed.
A move to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama was another possibility, but the transfer did not materialise.
With the main transfer windows closed, Richarlison has been left in an uncertain position at Tottenham.
De Zerbi had previously indicated that he was willing to accept Richarlison's desire to leave rather than force him to remain against his wishes.
But after the transfer failed to happen, the manager has chosen not to reintegrate him into the first-team squad.
De Zerbi Says Situation Is Between Player and Club
De Zerbi has attempted to separate himself from the dispute between Richarlison and Tottenham.
When discussing the player's situation, the Italian manager has indicated that the issue is primarily between the player and the club rather than a personal disagreement between himself and Richarlison.
De Zerbi previously said he had tried several times to convince Richarlison to remain at Tottenham, but the player maintained his desire to leave.
That position has now translated into a complete sporting exclusion.
Even though Richarlison remains contracted to Tottenham and can technically be eligible for certain competitions, De Zerbi does not intend to select him.
Richarlison Reacts on Social Media
Richarlison has also responded to his situation on social media.
Following De Zerbi's latest comments, the Brazilian posted an emotional reaction online, highlighting his frustration over being excluded despite remaining available for selection in competitions such as the Carabao Cup.
The public exchange has added further attention to an already difficult relationship between the player and the club.
Richarlison now faces the prospect of spending a significant period without competitive football unless his situation changes.
His Tottenham Record
Richarlison joined Tottenham from Everton in 2022 and has since established himself as an important attacking option when available.
He has also represented Brazil at international level and played a major role in the national team's recent campaigns.
Last season, he finished as Tottenham's leading scorer, making his current absence particularly significant for De Zerbi's squad.
According to reports, Richarlison has made more than 130 appearances for Tottenham since joining the club and scored 32 goals, while also contributing 15 assists. He was also involved in Tottenham's 2025 Europa League triumph.
Despite those contributions, his relationship with the club has now reached a point where he is not being considered for selection.
Tottenham's Attacking Problems
Richarlison's exclusion comes as Tottenham attempt to solve their attacking problems.
The club have struggled to convert opportunities into goals during the opening weeks of the season, increasing the pressure on De Zerbi to find solutions with the players currently available.
The manager has publicly backed Dominic Solanke, expressing confidence that the striker can recover his form and become an important source of goals for the team.
De Zerbi has also indicated that Tottenham must remain patient while his team adapts to his methods.
However, with Richarlison unavailable by choice rather than injury, the manager has fewer attacking options to rotate during a congested schedule.
No Carabao Cup Return
The Carabao Cup represented one of the clearest opportunities for Richarlison to return to competitive action because his omission from the Premier League squad did not prevent him from being eligible for domestic cup football.
That opportunity has now been closed by De Zerbi.
Tottenham's trip to Liverpool therefore provides no route back into the squad for the Brazilian.
The manager's statement was categorical: even if Richarlison is fit, he will not play.
The decision also suggests that Richarlison's situation is unlikely to be resolved simply by recovering from any physical issue.
January Could Become Important
With the summer transfer window closed, Richarlison's next realistic opportunity to secure a permanent move is likely to come when another transfer window opens.
Until then, Tottenham must determine how to manage a situation involving a contracted player who is outside the manager's sporting plans.
Richarlison, meanwhile, faces a difficult period if De Zerbi maintains his current position.
The forward's future could therefore become one of the notable transfer stories when the next window approaches.
For now, however, the message from Tottenham's manager is clear.
Richarlison is not part of De Zerbi's plans, and that applies even when he is fit enough to play.
The Brazilian will not feature against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, despite being eligible for the competition, and De Zerbi has given no indication that his position will change in the immediate future.
