Richarlison scored in the 92nd minute to give Tottenham a 2-1 win over Chelsea in Sydney, with virtually the last kick of the game. It was the sort of finish that can settle a friendly quickly, but the wider picture is less tidy. Kevin Danso was sent off four minutes after coming on at half-time, and Richarlison is now in the final year of his contract.

Danso's red card changed the shape of the game

Tottenham were down to ten men for most of the second half after Danso's dismissal. That made the finish more notable, even in pre-season, because they still found a winner rather than settling for a draw. The goal arrived late, with Richarlison reacting quickest when the chance came.

Richarlison's future remains unresolved

The football part is clear enough. The contract part is not. Roberto de Zerbi said of Richarlison: "I don't know because I like him as a player and as a guy. He's unbelievable in terms of attitude and behaviour. But, in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do."

He 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."

That uncertainty sits alongside a forward who still looks capable of making a difference. De Zerbi also said: "He scored 12 goals last season, not because of luck but because he knows how to score."

There is a reason Tottenham will not want this dragged out. Richarlison's recent league form has been decent too, with a 7.5 rating in his most recent goal-scoring outing and three ratings of 6.6 or better across his last five league matches. Spurs have also made it four wins from four in pre-season, but this result should not be read as any kind of final answer on the player himself.

For now, the facts are simpler than the noise around them. Richarlison won the game, Danso made life harder, and Tottenham still do not know what Richarlison wants to do next.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →