Richarlison Omitted: Tottenham Ends a Failed Transfer Chapter

When Tottenham Hotspur submitted their 25-man Premier League squad list on Friday afternoon, the name Richarlison was missing. Not due to injury, not due to disciplinary action. Simply because he is no longer in Roberto De Zerbi's plans. A cold, decisive decision, but behind it lies a long story of disillusionment between the 27-year-old Brazilian and the North London club.

I have followed Richarlison since his early days at Watford, through Everton until his £60 million move to Tottenham in the summer of 2026. Back then, he was the hope of the fans, a versatile forward capable of playing on the wing or through the middle. But two seasons later, only 11 goals in 66 appearances across all competitions remain – a modest return compared to expectations. In the summer of 2026, De Zerbi replaced Ange Postecoglou, bringing a philosophy of possession football and high pressing. Richarlison, with his physical style and free movement, never truly integrated.

In a nameless moment, I find the entire meaning of the game. But here, the nameless moment is an absence – a name crossed off the list. De Zerbi doesn't need to explain. He only needs to look at the tactical board: Richarlison averaged just 28 touches per game last season, the lowest among Tottenham forwards. He lacked the patience to circulate the ball in a 4-3-3 system requiring constant connection between lines. Instead, his bursts and hurried finishes often ended in harmless long-range shots – only 32% on target, according to data I collected from matches.

The orbit of the heart is never a straight line. It is long-range shots. Richarlison was once a star for Brazil, scoring in the 2026 Copa America final. But his orbit in the Premier League veered off course since joining Tottenham. Being omitted from the Premier League squad is not just a tactical decision; it is a signal that the club has lost faith in his ability to revive. His contract runs until 2027, but Tottenham is willing to take a loss to offload him immediately. This reflects a harsh reality: the transfer market is changing, and players who no longer fit are being pushed to second-tier leagues like the Saudi Pro League or the Turkish Süper Lig, where windows remain open.

The Kazan night taught me that the highest peak is merely a fulcrum for the fall. Richarlison was at his career peak when he joined Tottenham, but now he faces the prospect of relegation – not in division, but in league prestige. Saudi Arabia and Turkey may offer higher wages, but he will lose the chance to compete in the Champions League and for his national team. This is the most fragile moment in the career of a player once hailed as the 'King of Bicycle Kicks'.

But from Tottenham's perspective, this decision might be a wise move. De Zerbi is building a young, dynamic team with players like Brennan Johnson, Manor Solomon, and Dane Scarlett. Removing Richarlison frees up wages and opens the door for a new forward more suited to the system – perhaps Jonathan David or another surprise name. Every space on the pitch is an unspoken promise. The space Richarlison leaves is not just a position on the field, but a lesson in the harshness of top-level football: no one is guaranteed a starting spot, even if they were once a star.

I recall the summer of 2026, when I wrote about the collapsed Depay transfer. The feeling of being left behind by time, when all plans fall apart due to factors beyond control. Richarlison is now experiencing that same feeling. He is not a bad player; he just no longer fits. And in modern football, unfitness means elimination – no mercy, no emotion.

At the peak, one sees nothing but their own fragility. Where will Richarlison go? Al-Ahli? Galatasaray? Or some unexpected destination? The answer will come in a few days. But whatever path he chooses, the lesson from Tottenham remains: in the Premier League, there is no room for prolonged failed transfers. And when the door closes, only spaces remain – unspoken promises, orbits that never took flight.