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Richarlison Scores For Tottenham U21s As Cheltenham Manager Praises His Attitude
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- Richarlison Scores For Tottenham U21s As Cheltenham Manager Praises His Attitude
(IMAGO / NurPhoto)
Richarlison scored on his return to competitive football, but not for Roberto De Zerbi's first team; instead, he played for Wayne Burnett's Tottenham Under-21s as they drew 2–2 at Cheltenham Town before losing 7–6 on penalties in the EFL Trophy.
The Brazil international equalised in the 56th minute, cancelling out a George Miller goal on the stroke of halftime; Richarlison also converted his penalty in the shootout. It was his first appearance since playing against Brentford on August 22, following a summer of unrest as Spurs,
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The 29-year-old was omitted from Tottenham's 25-man Premier League squad after the Brazilian international repeatedly told Italian Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi he intended to leave the club. De Zerbi confirmed during the summer window that Spurs had to move on after Richarlison wasn't interested in signing a new deal that De Zerbi wanted to present. However, discussions about summer moves to Everton, Trabzonspor and Vasco da Gama did not lead to a transfer and the striker was left out of Tottenham's squad.
He appeared against Cheltenham while De Zerbi and the senior squad were in Marbella for a training camp.
Miracle Adewole subsequently put Tottenham ahead, but Miller's stoppage-time equaliser sent the match to penalties.
Richarlison scored his spot-kick, although Cheltenham secured the additional group-stage point by winning the shootout.
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Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill praised Richarlison's approach to the fixture, describing his attitude as "immaculate."
The striker also spent time signing autographs and posing for photographs with both sets of fans, drawing praise across social media, and even shook goalkeeper Mamadou Diallo's hand after converting his penalty.
Cotterill said facing an established international gave his players experience competing against someone at the highest level.
Richarlison's appearance does not change his Premier League registration status. He remains outside Tottenham's registered senior league squad, but suiting up for the Under-21s keeps his fitness levels up as he is likely to leave the club in the January transfer window. Playing with the Under-21s will also help academy players, including 17-year-old striker Oliver Boast, who is in fine form for the Under-18s and will benefit from playing alongside a Brazilian international.
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Richarlison began his career at América Mineiro before joining Fluminense in 2016. Watford brought him to England in 2017, and he moved to Everton the following year. He scored 53 goals in 152 Everton appearances, became a Brazil international and won the 2019 Copa América before joining Tottenham in 2022.
