Richarlison backs Ferguson as Spurs weigh January options
Tottenham striker Richarlison has publicly backed Duncan Ferguson’s criticism of Roberto De Zerbi after being left out of the club’s Premier League squad, making January a key point for a decision on his future. Richarlison responded to his former Everton manager on Instagram: “Thanks, Duncan Ferguson. You are right!” Tottenham must now weigh a return to the fold against continued exclusion or a move away.
Spurs-Web reports that Richarlison’s message followed renewed questions about his omission, with Tottenham struggling to score. The striker finished last season as the club’s top scorer, with 11 goals. The outlet lists his 2025-26 return as 32 appearances, 1,957 minutes, 11 goals and four assists, with those figures stated as correct on 17 October 2026.
Spurs-Web also says it was widely reported that Richarlison’s camp considered legal action to terminate his contract after multiple offers to leave were rejected. That remains reported background, not a settled explanation of the dispute. His Premier League status is central to what Tottenham can do next.
Ferguson challenges De Zerbi’s decision
Ferguson, who briefly managed Richarlison at Everton, urged De Zerbi to bring the forward back into the group. He questioned leaving a player of Richarlison’s ability out while Spurs were struggling, while acknowledging that the manager had information he did not.
Richarlison’s public endorsement put that criticism directly against De Zerbi’s account. The Tottenham manager said he knew what the club had done with the player over the previous 45 days and referred to Richarlison’s behaviour, but declined to give details.
“I know what the club has done in the last 45 days with him and what was the behaviour of Richarlison. I can’t explain because it’s not right, but I’m sorry because it could be different. Even the end of the story, but a different way, I think, it could have been better,” De Zerbi said, according to Spurs-Web.
January brings the next decision
The disagreement is no longer confined to private conversations: Ferguson has criticised the handling publicly, and Richarlison has openly agreed with him. A Daily Hotspur post reproduced by Spurs-Web described the striker as unhappy with De Zerbi’s treatment; that is the account’s assessment, not evidence of a wider supporter consensus.
Richarlison has been limited to under-21 football, according to Spurs-Web. SportBible reports that he featured for the U21s in the EFL Trophy against Cheltenham Town, scoring in a 2-2 draw before Tottenham lost the shootout. The outlet says he is expected to remain with the U21s until the January window.
That window gives Tottenham a fresh point to reassess the situation, with reintegration, continued exclusion and a transfer all possible outcomes rather than decided ones. The club’s options over Richarlison’s future will depend on whether a workable exit emerges-or whether the relationship can be repaired.
