Tottenham striker Richarlison scored for the club's under-21s in an EFL Trophy match at Cheltenham Town. The Brazilian was omitted from the first-team squad following a failed transfer move.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison scored for the club's under-21s in an EFL Trophy match at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Brazilian, who was left out of the first-team Premier League squad, found the net in a 2-2 draw before Spurs' reserves lost the subsequent penalty shootout 7-6. Richarlison also converted a penalty during the shootout, marking his second appearance of the season.
According to BBC Sport, Richarlison's appearance came less than four years after he represented Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. The forward, who cost Tottenham £60m from Everton, was seen celebrating his goal in front of a small crowd. He had previously been linked with a return to Everton, but the move fell through at the end of the transfer window. Manager Roberto De Zerbi stated that the decision to omit Richarlison from the 25-man squad was not his, citing the player's desire to leave the club.
Richarlison's exclusion from the first team has been a point of contention, as Tottenham are currently the Premier League's lowest scorers with only three goals. The Brazilian was the club's leading scorer last season, netting 11 times in 32 appearances. De Zerbi noted that he only wants to keep players who are proud and passionate about staying at the club. Richarlison's failed move to Vasco da Gama also left him without a new club, forcing him to rely on the EFL Trophy for competitive minutes.
The EFL Trophy match provided a rare opportunity for Richarlison to gain game time before the January transfer window. Other EFL Trophy results included Notts County beating Nottingham Forest's under-21s 5-1, and Oldham Athletic defeating Leeds United's under-21s 4-2. Richarlison's situation at Tottenham remains uncertain, with the club and player both facing limited options in the current transfer market.