Roberto de Zerbi says he is unsure whether Richarlison will remain at Tottenham after revealing the Brazil forward has sent mixed messages over his future.
Richarlison, whose contract expires next summer, scored the winning goal in stoppage time as 10-man Spurs beat Chelsea 2-1 in a pre-season friendly in Sydney, but his long-term future remains uncertain.
Speaking after the match, De Zerbi admitted he does not yet know whether the 29-year-old will stay in north London.
“I don’t know because I like him as a player and as a guy,” the Tottenham head coach said. “He’s unbelievable in terms of attitude and behaviour. But, in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do.”
Asked if Richarlison wants to leave the club, De Zerbi added: “I don’t know. I didn’t understand well because sometimes he says he wants to stay, sometimes he wants to leave.
“We have to speak anyway. There is not any problem. He’s a lovely guy.”
De Zerbi a fan of Brazilian
Despite the uncertainty, De Zerbi underlined Richarlison’s importance to his squad following a difficult campaign in which Spurs narrowly avoided relegation.
The Italian believes the striker’s goalscoring record makes him difficult to replace after he scored 12 times last season.
“For me, he’s still an important player because it’s not easy to find another striker like Richarlison,” De Zerbi said.
“Richarlison scores goals. He knows the way. With any new striker, we don’t know.
“He scored 12 goals last season, not because of luck but because he knows how to score.
“All of us love him, the team-mates, the club and the staff because he works hard every day, seriously every day, and we can’t say anything about him on the pitch.”
Richarlison’s future comes amid another busy summer for Tottenham following a club-record £237m spending spree.
Spurs are still expected to strengthen their attack before the transfer window closes, with Manchester City’s Savinho and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo among the players linked with moves to north London.
