If it wasn't for a Dominic Solanke ankle injury, Richarlison surely would've left the club last summer.
The Brazilian's Tottenham career has been defined by purple patches and frustrating fitness setbacks. Rarely has he looked like the long-term solution for Spurs' centre-forward position in a post-Harry Kane world.
Solanke's niggle opened the door for Richarlison at the start of Thomas Frank's reign, seizing the opportunity with both hands. He produced a tireless performance in the UEFA Super Cup defeat and started the Premier League season with a brace against Burnley.
He'd bought himself another year. There was no way Spurs could sell him in the aftermath.
However, we were merely subject to another false dawn. Richarlison's 2026/27 campaign peaked early before he suffered a hamstring injury in the new year. Contributions were sporadic in the aftermath, scoring four times down the stretch, and he certainly wasn't the relegation-fighting protagonist we suspected he may become.
Richarlison knows where the goal is, but there are too many drawbacks to his game that should convince the club it's time to finally move on.
Richarlison wants to be a part of Roberto De Zerbi's project
The striker position is one of serious concern. I've always liked Solanke, but he's ever so brittle. His inability to stay fit at a critical juncture last season meant he went down in the estimations of plenty, even if the majority prefer his sturdier skill set over the streaky Richarlison's.
One has to move on this summer, but it doesn't look like it'll be the Brazilian.
According to Poseidon, one of the seemingly infinite Spurs insiders, Richarlison wants to be a part of Roberto De Zerbi's project in north London, and is set to stay at the club this summer.
If this is accurate, why are we bending to the striker's will? It should be irrelevant if the player wants to stay. De Zerbi is in the business of winning now and cultivating the best squad he possibly can for 2026/27. That surely doesn't include Richarlison, or must mean that Solanke is on the chopping block.
I'd rather see the back of the Brazilian, given his technical insecurity, but I can see a world where Solanke is shipped off to another Premier League club for a big enough fee that renders the sale understandable.
However, neither will end up departing if Spurs fail to bring an alternative in. We know Eli Junior Kroupi is the dream, but even a Spurs bereft of frugality won't pay what Bournemouth want.
Nicolas Jackson anyone?
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