Spurs' goal drought deepens as Richarlison fumes over cup snub

Tottenham Hotspur are desperate for goals after four opening Premier League matches without a single strike, a first in the club’s history. Their leading scorer from last season, Richarlison, who netted twelve times, remains sidelined, leaving a glaring void in a side still searching for its first win.

Spurs have failed to find the net in their first four league fixtures, a drought that has never before occurred in a top‑flight campaign. Richarlison’s twelve goals last season, including four in seven encounters with Liverpool, underline the scoring deficit the club now faces. The lack of firepower comes despite a summer outlay exceeding £300m to revamp the squad.

Failed Brazilian move leaves Spurs empty‑handed

Sources said Tottenham had reached an agreement with Brazilian side Vasco da Gama for the 29‑year‑old forward, but personal terms collapsed before the Brazilian transfer window shut on Friday. The fee was reportedly settled, yet the player could not finalise his contract. The aborted move leaves the London club without a clear path to offload the striker.

Roberto de Zerbi addressed the situation in his Monday pre‑match news conference, stating, “At the start of this season, I spoke to him many times to convince him to stay and he didn’t want to.” He added that he had offered an extension, but the relationship now lies between the player and the club.

Earlier this summer a deadline‑day transfer to Everton fell through after Richarlison rejected personal terms on a £35m deal. The Toffees’ bid could not be salvaged, and the forward returned to Tottenham’s roster, further complicating his standing at the club.

Contract dispute fuels squad exclusion

De Zerbi left Richarlison out of the squad for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, prompting the Brazil striker to post a screenshot of the omission with the caption “Why?” and a tearful sad‑faced emoji. The public display highlighted his frustration at being excluded from a competition that could have offered him playing time. The omission also underscores the widening rift between player and management.

Richarlison, the Brazil international, is understood to be exploring a departure, keen to terminate the remaining nine months of a deal that expires next summer. Tottenham retain the option to activate a twelve‑month extension, but the forward appears intent on leaving. The stalemate leaves both parties facing a protracted negotiation.

The North London side’s underwhelming start follows back‑to‑back 17th‑place finishes and a summer investment of more than £300m. Yet despite the financial outlay, Spurs have yet to secure their first league victory under De Zerbi.

With the Carabao Cup match imminent and the transfer window closed, Richarlison’s immediate future hinges on whether Tottenham will trigger the extension or agree a release. Until a resolution is reached, the striker remains on the periphery of a squad desperate for goals.