MusaTottenham Hotspur have more pressing concerns to address at the moment, particularly their desperate need to start winning Premier League matches. However, the ongoing situation surrounding Richarlison remains an interesting subplot as uncertainty continues to surround the Brazilian forward’s future in north London.
Following a turbulent summer, Richarlison has found himself completely frozen out of Roberto De Zerbi’s plans, with the striker excluded from Tottenham’s Premier League squad.
The 29-year-old has consequently been forced to gain match fitness and playing time with the club’s Under-21 side, with a January departure increasingly appearing to be the most realistic outcome.
How Richarlison Fared During His Latest U21 Appearance
Richarlison finished last season as Tottenham’s leading goalscorer, but he is still waiting to make a meaningful impact in the 2026/27 campaign.
The former Everton striker had found the net during pre-season before being sidelined from first-team action following the closure of the summer transfer window. Since then, he has been left searching for opportunities to demonstrate his quality with the youth team.
On Tuesday evening, the Brazilian produced a moment of quality by turning sharply before firing home during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw against Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy. Unfortunately for the young Lilywhites, the contest ended in disappointment as they suffered a 7-6 defeat in the penalty shootout.
Operating from the left flank, Richarlison remained heavily involved throughout the encounter, registering 69 touches. However, his performance was far from flawless, as he surrendered possession on 23 occasions.
Although he scored during normal time and successfully converted his penalty in the shootout, the forward also missed a significant goalscoring opportunity. Furthermore, he managed to win only four of his ten duels.
Overall, it was an inconsistent outing from the Tottenham outcast. While his goal provided a reminder of his attacking ability, it is difficult to see how performances at U21 level will significantly improve his chances of returning to De Zerbi’s first-team plans.
Is a January Departure Inevitable for Richarlison?
Richarlison’s future at Tottenham has been uncertain for some time. As De Zerbi revealed during pre-season, the Brazilian had been pushing to leave the club after spending four years in north London.
Several potential destinations were considered during the summer, but none ultimately produced a breakthrough. A possible return to Everton failed to materialise, while opportunities in Turkey, Brazil and Saudi Arabia also fell through.
With Tottenham subsequently leaving him out of their Premier League squad, the striker has been left in an increasingly difficult position.
The club cannot make changes to its Premier League squad until the January transfer window, meaning Richarlison is unlikely to feature in the competition again before the turn of the year. Tottenham’s elimination from the Carabao Cup following their defeat to Liverpool has further reduced his opportunities to return to competitive first-team action.
The decision not to involve him against Liverpool or Charlton Athletic in the competition also raises questions about whether there is any realistic prospect of a reconciliation between the player and the coaching staff.
With his £60 million signing approaching the final months of his current contract, a winter departure could offer the most practical solution for everyone involved.
Richarlison may also be keen to force the issue himself, particularly if it becomes clear that De Zerbi has no intention of welcoming him back into the first-team setup.
However, the Brazilian is not the only Tottenham attacker whose future could become a major talking point in January.
Why Mathys Tel Could Also Push to Leave Tottenham
Tottenham’s recent performance against Manchester United offered some encouragement despite the frustration of dropping points at Old Trafford.
De Zerbi’s side started brightly, putting their opponents under considerable pressure during the opening 25 minutes and demonstrating signs of improvement in their attacking play.
Despite their promising start, Tottenham struggled to convert their opportunities, with Dominic Solanke eventually rescuing a point through a stoppage-time equaliser.
Interestingly, Richarlison’s absence did not prevent Spurs from creating opportunities. Instead, the performance suggested that De Zerbi may be developing an attacking structure capable of producing results if his players become more clinical in front of goal.
However, the improving situation could create fresh concerns for Mathys Tel.
The 21-year-old French forward, who arrived from Bayern Munich in a deal reportedly worth around £30 million, has seen his involvement diminish in recent weeks. With competition for attacking positions increasing, he could soon find himself considering his own future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Savio has shown encouraging signs on the wing, while Mohammed Kudus has returned from injury, giving De Zerbi additional options in wide attacking positions.
Tel’s recent lack of opportunities suggests that he may have slipped down the pecking order at a time when he needs regular football to continue developing.
The Frenchman previously experienced a public disagreement with De Zerbi following Tottenham’s draw against Everton. Although he subsequently featured in the Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool, he struggled to make a significant impact against Jeremie Frimpong on the left flank.
His situation deteriorated further when he was left out of the matchday squad entirely for the Aston Villa fixture. Against Manchester United, he remained an unused substitute, with other attacking options preferred when De Zerbi made his changes.
These developments have fuelled speculation about Tel’s future, particularly amid reports that Tottenham are considering allowing him to leave during the January transfer window.
According to an exclusive report from Football FanCast, De Zerbi is reportedly just as willing to part ways with Tel as he is with Richarlison. Tottenham are also said to be hopeful of making a profit on the Frenchman’s transfer, despite his relatively short time at the club.
If his current lack of involvement continues, Tel could find himself facing a difficult decision about his next career move.
Submitting a transfer request might be one way for the youngster to make his intentions clear and put pressure on Tottenham to consider his departure. However, such a decision would depend on his willingness to leave and the availability of suitable alternatives.
Tottenham Could Face Two Major Attacking Departures
Richarlison and Tel find themselves in different situations, but both players have reasons to be concerned about their futures under De Zerbi.
Richarlison has effectively been excluded from the first-team picture, while Tel’s diminishing involvement suggests that his position in the squad is becoming increasingly uncertain.
For Tottenham, January could provide an opportunity to resolve both situations and reshape their attacking options for the remainder of the campaign.
Whether either player ultimately leaves remains to be seen, but unless their circumstances change significantly over the coming weeks, the possibility of both departing north London will continue to attract attention.
Musa
