MusaThe ongoing feud between Richarlison and Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur has become increasingly difficult to ignore. The situation has even produced some awkward moments, including a camera shot of the Brazilian forward as Spurs wasted one opportunity after another against Manchester United before eventually rescuing a draw. The result did little to improve their position, with Tottenham ending the weekend sitting 19th in the Premier League table.
Richarlison also attracted attention in Tottenham’s recent squad photograph, despite his ongoing issues with the manager. While his teammates posed with smiles, the Brazilian appeared visibly unhappy, with his facial expression suggesting that tensions within the club remain unresolved.
However, the latest development in this increasingly complicated situation came earlier this week when Richarlison found the net for Tottenham’s U21s against Cheltenham Town in the Football League Trophy.
Richarlison continues to make his case as De Zerbi’s decision comes under scrutiny
It is easy to imagine the unusual atmosphere in Tottenham’s U21 dressing room when a 29-year-old senior international like Richarlison arrived to join the academy players. For a forward with extensive Premier League experience, featuring against Cheltenham Town in a midweek competition primarily associated with younger players must have been a difficult situation to accept.
Nevertheless, Richarlison appears determined to make the most of every opportunity available to him and demonstrate why he deserves another chance in De Zerbi’s first-team squad.
The Brazilian delivered against League Two opposition, scoring once as Tottenham’s youngsters drew 2-2 before eventually suffering a penalty shootout defeat.
With Spurs continuing to struggle in front of goal, questions surrounding Richarlison’s absence from the senior team are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. De Zerbi has effectively sidelined one of the club’s most experienced and proven goalscorers following a disagreement that has yet to be resolved.
Standing firm on a disciplinary decision is one thing, but maintaining that position becomes considerably more difficult when your team is languishing in the relegation zone and struggling to find the back of the net.
Despite his strained relationship with De Zerbi, Richarlison has scored 75 goals in the Premier League throughout his career. He also played a crucial role in Tottenham’s fight for survival last season, scoring twice in their final four league matches to help the club avoid relegation.
Given the team’s current attacking problems, there is a growing argument that De Zerbi should reconsider his stance. If a senior player must be sent down to the U21s to make a point, Richarlison may not be the most obvious candidate.
Mathys Tel could be the next Tottenham player sent to the U21s
If De Zerbi intends to take a ruthless approach towards players who are failing to meet his expectations, Richarlison should not necessarily be the only one facing the consequences.
Tottenham’s disappointing start to the campaign has exposed several problems, with their return of just three goals in six matches highlighting the extent of their struggles in the final third.
Mathys Tel is one player who has yet to make the desired impact. The 21-year-old forward has struggled to establish himself as a reliable attacking option and is increasingly coming under pressure as Tottenham search for solutions to their goal-scoring problems.
On the evidence of his recent performances, there are legitimate questions about whether Tel is ready to help a team fighting to stay out of the relegation zone.
The Frenchman scored just four goals last season and has continued to struggle this term, registering neither a goal nor an assist across his first four appearances.
However, unlike Richarlison, a temporary spell with the U21s could potentially benefit Tel by allowing him to rebuild his confidence away from the pressure surrounding Tottenham’s first team.
His performances for France’s U21s during the international break offered some encouragement, as he produced an unexpected hat-trick. Replicating that confidence at club level will be essential if he hopes to establish himself under De Zerbi.
A period away from the spotlight in north London could give the youngster an opportunity to rediscover his scoring touch and return with renewed belief.
Perhaps the biggest concern for Tottenham is the contrast between Tel’s performances at youth level and his struggles in senior football. Despite showing an ability to score multiple goals in younger age groups, the former Bayern Munich forward has managed just one shot on target in the Premier League this season.
Considering the reported £30 million investment Tottenham have made in him, his current contribution has understandably raised concerns about whether he can deliver the expected return.
His difficulties are not limited to attacking output, either. Tel has also struggled to make a consistent impact without the ball, particularly when it comes to matching the intensity and pressing demands of De Zerbi’s tactical system.
The 21-year-old averages 11.47 sprints per 90 minutes, a figure that raises further questions about his ability to meet the manager’s expectations. Improving his work rate and involvement will be crucial if he wants to secure a regular place in the starting XI.
Ultimately, Tottenham and De Zerbi face an important decision about how to address their attacking problems. Richarlison’s situation remains unresolved, but Tel’s disappointing performances have created another difficult selection dilemma for the manager.
With goals in desperately short supply, sending Tel to the U21s for a short period could provide the reset he needs while allowing him to regain his confidence.
For De Zerbi, the priority must be finding a way to get Tottenham’s attack firing again. If that means making another tough decision and temporarily removing an underperforming senior player from the first-team picture, the Italian may have little choice but to consider it.
Musa
