Less than four years after representing Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, Richarlison's downward spiral at Tottenham was laid bare as he scored in front of a couple of hundred supporters for the under-21s against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy. The Brazilian, who cost Spurs £60m from Everton and was rubbing shoulders with Neymar Jr and Vinicius Jr on international duty not so long ago, looked almost embarrassed to celebrate his thumping half-volley against the League Two outfit. He also converted a penalty in a shootout that Spurs' reserves lost 7-6 after a 2-2 draw.
Richarlison, 29, was making only his second appearance of the season, and his first since the end of August against Brentford, having been left out of Tottenham's Premier League squad. Manager Roberto de Zerbi insisted the decision to omit him from the club's 25-man squad was not his, following the forward's failed move back to Merseyside at the end of the transfer window. With just three goals, Spurs are the top-flight's lowest scorers this season and second bottom in the table. So the decision to leave last season's 12-goal leading scorer out of their league plans looks increasingly difficult to justify.
For a couple of hours on transfer deadline day, it seemed only a matter of time before Richarlison left Tottenham. He was closing in on an idyllic return to Everton, but a proposed move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium fell through, leaving both player and club with few alternatives. Later, a proposed move to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama also collapsed after Richarlison failed to agree personal terms. He was also ruled out of Spurs' Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, as only players registered in the league squad were eligible.
The ex-Watford forward may now have to get used to the surroundings of English football's lower leagues, with the EFL Trophy offering him a rare chance to gain competitive minutes. Since arriving from Everton, he has scored 27 top-flight goals in 103 appearances. Tottenham's problems in the final third are difficult to ignore, having spent £300m on new recruits.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing