De Zerbi stated that he had tried to convince Richarlison to stay at Tottenham, but ultimately the decision was made by the player himself. The manager expressed his regret at having a player less in the squad, describing Richarlison as an "excellent player" and acknowledging the efforts made by the club to keep him. However, De Zerbi also hinted that Richarlison's recent behavior had been a factor in the decision, saying that he "knows the truth" about the situation and that he "cannot forget what happened in the last 45 days". The manager also suggested that the outcome could have been different, implying that Richarlison's actions had consequences. Richarlison himself has since posted a statement on social media, expressing his gratitude to the Tottenham fans and hinting that he came close to joining Vasco. The situation remains uncertain, with De Zerbi stating that the decision on Richarlison's future has not yet been made by the club.