Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Richarlison, Kevin Danso, and Pape Matar Sarr want to leave the club amid a winless start.

The mood at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has shifted from optimism to anxiety as head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed a trio of key players have requested to leave the club. The bombshell announcement came in the wake of a disheartening 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United, a result that left Spurs rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. Richarlison, Kevin Danso, and Pape Matar Sarr were all conspicuously absent from the matchday squad on Saturday, signaling a deep-seated unrest within a team that has spent over £300m this summer. De Zerbi, known for his directness, did not mince words when asked about their status, making it clear that while relationships remain professional, the players must find financial solutions if they are to secure their departures.

The Richarlison Dilemma and the Striker Search

Richarlison’s desire to move on is perhaps the most significant blow to De Zerbi’s project. The Brazilian forward was the club’s leading scorer last season with 11 goals and acted as a focal point during a difficult campaign that only saw survival secured on the final day. Despite his importance, Richarlison has reportedly grown disillusioned with the current trajectory of the club. De Zerbi admitted that the striker has expressed his desire to leave multiple times, leaving the recruitment team in a frantic search for a replacement. The recent arrival of Omar Marmoush on loan from Manchester City was intended to provide competition, but he now finds himself thrust into the starting lineup as the primary attacking option.

Finding another striker with Richarlison’s physical presence and goal-scoring record is no simple task, especially so close to the transfer deadline. The Brazilian's departure would leave a void of leadership and intensity that the current squad lacks. De Zerbi has challenged any potential suitors to meet Tottenham’s economic valuation, knowing that selling their top scorer to a rival without an adequate replacement could be catastrophic. The player’s frustration seems to stem from a lack of belief in the long-term project, a sentiment that is beginning to echo through a fanbase that has watched their team fail to score a single goal in their opening two league fixtures.

Defensive Overhaul and Danso’s Discontent

In defense, the situation is equally volatile. Kevin Danso, the Austria international with 36 caps, has informed De Zerbi of his wish to seek a new challenge just two days before the Newcastle loss. Danso’s concerns appear rooted in his place within the pecking order following a massive influx of new talent. The arrivals of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have increased competition for starting spots alongside the newly appointed captain Micky van de Ven. Despite interest from Sunderland, who saw a season-long loan offer rejected, Danso seems determined to find a top-flight solution that guarantees him the minutes he needs to maintain his international standing.

The defensive instability was evident in the loss to Newcastle, where the lack of cohesion cost Spurs dearly. De Zerbi’s tactical system requires defenders who are comfortable on the ball and disciplined in their positioning, qualities Danso possesses but may no longer be willing to provide for a team in transition. The manager’s insistence that players who want to leave must bring an "economic solution" suggests that Tottenham are not willing to let assets go on the cheap, even if they are unhappy. This creates a standoff that could potentially distract the squad during a critical period of the season as they attempt to climb out of the relegation zone.

The Midfield Logjam and Sarr’s Juventus Interest

Pape Matar Sarr’s request to leave adds another layer of complexity to the midfield situation. The 23-year-old Senegal international has seen his path to the first team blocked by high-profile arrivals like Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. Despite suffering a minor injury that kept him out of training recently, Sarr is a player in high demand across Europe. Juventus are currently leading the race for his signature, with sources in Italy suggesting that a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy is close to being finalized. The terms of that obligation, likely tied to appearances and Champions League qualification, remain the final hurdle in negotiations.

While Besiktas have offered a permanent deal and a substantial pay rise, Sarr’s preference appears to be a move to a major European league. The English clubs interested have so far only offered loan terms, giving Juventus the advantage if they can reach an agreement with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. For De Zerbi, losing a young talent like Sarr is a gamble, but the midfield is currently overcrowded, and the player’s desire for regular football is understandable. The challenge for Tottenham is ensuring they don't lose too much depth while trying to trim a squad that has underperformed significantly in the early weeks of the campaign.

The Bottom of the Table Pressure

The timing of these transfer requests could not be worse for a club already reeling from back-to-back 17th-place finishes. Being bottom of the table after two games is a sobering reality for a side that has invested so heavily in new talent. The lack of goals and the defensive lapses suggest that De Zerbi has yet to find a formula that works with the personnel at his disposal. If the disgruntled trio of Richarlison, Danso, and Sarr are not moved on quickly, their presence could further sour the atmosphere within the dressing room. The next few days will be a defining period for De Zerbi’s tenure and the club’s immediate future.

Spurs find themselves at a crossroads where they must decide whether to force unhappy players to stay or to pivot once again in the transfer market. The £300m spent has yet to yield a single point or a single goal, and the pressure from the supporters is mounting. As the deadline approaches, the boardroom must work overtime to resolve these internal disputes while simultaneously searching for the reinforcements needed to spark a season that is already threatening to go off the rails. The coming days will reveal much about the resolve of both the manager and the hierarchy at Tottenham Hotspur. more football news on MATCHLINE