Richarlison's Struggles: From World Cup Star to U21s Stint

Richarlison has seen his Premier League action with Tottenham drastically reduced this season, making only one appearance so far. Less than four years after showcasing his talent at the 2022 World Cup, the Brazilian striker's struggles were amplified as he scored for Spurs' under-21 team in a match against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy, attended by just a handful of fans. The £60 million signing from Everton looked almost sheepish as he celebrated his impressive half-volley against the League Two side. In addition to his goal, he converted a penalty in a shootout, but it wasn't enough, as Spurs' reserves succumbed 7-6 after a dramatic 2-2 draw. At 29, Richarlison made his second appearance of the season, marking his first since late August against Brentford, having been excluded from Tottenham’s Premier League squad. Manager Roberto de Zerbi clarified that the choice to leave Richarlison out was not his own, following the forward's unsuccessful attempt to return to Everton during the transfer window. Tottenham currently sits second from the bottom in the Premier League, struggling with just three goals to their name. The decision to omit last season's top scorer, who netted 12 times, is becoming harder to defend as the club grapples with its offensive woes. On transfer deadline day, it seemed Richarlison was on the brink of a return to Everton, where he had initially made his mark before moving to North London. However, after expressing a desire to leave, his potential switch fell through, leaving both him and Spurs in a tricky position with little time remaining in the transfer window. "He decided everything alone," de Zerbi noted in September. "He spoke with me at the beginning of pre-season about wanting to leave. In the end, we brought in another striker, and I want to keep players who are committed and passionate about being here." Later attempts to join Brazilian club Vasco da Gama also ended in disappointment, as personal terms could not be agreed upon. He missed a chance to play in Spurs' Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool due to his exclusion from the Premier League squad. With the EFL Trophy providing a chance for competitive minutes, Richarlison may have to adapt to playing in the lower leagues for now. Just six matches into the new Premier League season, Tottenham might already be rethinking their decision to leave him off the roster. Since his arrival from Everton, Richarlison has scored 27 goals in the Premier League over 103 appearances, and he was the club's leading scorer last season with 11 goals in 32 matches, helping them narrowly escape relegation. Tottenham's forward line has struggled, with Dominic Solanke's recent equalizer against Manchester United marking the first goal from a Spurs forward since Richarlison found the net against Chelsea in May. Former England striker Alan Shearer critiqued Solanke's ability, calling him "nowhere near good enough" after the £55 million transfer from Bournemouth. Despite de Zerbi praising Solanke's contributions, Tottenham's attacking issues are glaring, especially after spending around £300 million on new players in the summer. Fans in the stands have been vocal in their frustrations, even holding banners pleading for the team to score. While Richarlison may not be the sole solution to Tottenham's scoring difficulties, having him in the Premier League squad could certainly have been more advantageous than watching him navigate the lower tiers of English football.