‘He decided everything, not me’: De Zerbi says Richarlison sidelined after seeking exit

Roberto De Zerbi insisted he had no choice but to leave Richarlison out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad after the Brazilian declined the offer of a contract extension and repeatedly insisted he wanted to leave the club.

Richarlison was Spurs’ leading scorer in the Premier League last season, but did not feature in last weekend’s defeat to Newcastle United amid discussions of a return to his former club Everton. He eventually rejected that move but, with Tottenham bringing in Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, there was no space for the 29-year-old in De Zerbi’s 25-man list of players he plans to use in the league this campaign.